NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. — Free agent Kosuke Fukudome will sign a three-year deal with the Hanshin Tigers, according to team president Nobuo Minami, who revealed on Tuesday he had been informed of the outfielder's intent.The Tigers and the Yokohama BayStars were pursuing the 35-year-old former major leaguer, who was released this fall by the Yankee's Triple-A club after starting the season with the Chicago White Sox. Earlier in the day, BayStars general manager Shigeru Takada revealed that Fukudome would not sign with his club.The contract is for three years with an annual salary of ?150 million with additional performance-based incentives."Out of all the offers he had, I'm extremely glad he chose the Tigers and Koshien Stadium," said second-year manager Yutaka Wada. "We have high expectations for both his batting and fielding."The Tigers are coming off a fifth-place finish, their worst in 11 years. They scored a Central League-worst 411 runs, and the retirement of outfielder Tomoaki Kanemoto deprives them of one of their top run producers.Fukudome has a .258 career batting average with 42 homers in five big league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and White Sox. He was released in the middle of this past season and signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.The left-handed-hitting Fukudome is a two-time Central League batting champ and was the league's MVP in 2006 with the Chunichi Dragons. He left as a free agent following the club's Japan Series triumph and signed with the Cubs.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Teen pitcher Otani 'refreshed' to play for Fighters
SAPPORO — The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters introduced hard-throwing teenager Shohei Otani to the press on Tuesday after the club kept him in Japan by signing him to his first pro contract.
Formal introduction: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Shohei Otani meets the press on Tuesday in Sapporo after he signed a contract. KYODOOtani had announced his decision to turn pro with a major league club in November prior to be being named as the Fighters' first-round draft pick. The Pacific League champions then orchestrated a successful campaign to persuade the youngster to start his career in Nippon Professional Baseball."I feel refreshed and I have a really strong desire to do my best," he told a news conference.The Hanamaki Higashi High School product signed for a 2013 salary of ?15 million with a ?100 million signing bonus and ?50 million in performance-based incentives — the maximum figures allowed by NPB for a first-year pro.Otani will wear the same number that Yu Darvish wore with the Fighters, No. 11.
Formal introduction: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Shohei Otani meets the press on Tuesday in Sapporo after he signed a contract. KYODOOtani had announced his decision to turn pro with a major league club in November prior to be being named as the Fighters' first-round draft pick. The Pacific League champions then orchestrated a successful campaign to persuade the youngster to start his career in Nippon Professional Baseball."I feel refreshed and I have a really strong desire to do my best," he told a news conference.The Hanamaki Higashi High School product signed for a 2013 salary of ?15 million with a ?100 million signing bonus and ?50 million in performance-based incentives — the maximum figures allowed by NPB for a first-year pro.Otani will wear the same number that Yu Darvish wore with the Fighters, No. 11.89ers complete sweep over Brave Warriors
The Sendai 89ers gave their loyal fans a special Christmas treat: back-to-back home victories over the Shinshu Brave Warriors.The series finale, an 83-76 Tuesday evening triumph for the 89ers, saw T.J. Cummings scored a game-high 25 points and Yasuaki Arai, a key offseason pickup from the Saitama Broncos, drain 6 of 9 3-pointers and add 24 points.The 89ers improved to 7-12, while the Brave Warriors fell to 13-9.Sam Willard had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Sendai. Floor leader Takehiko Shimura scored 10 points, dished out 12 assists and didn't turn the ball over in an inspiring performance.With Shimura directing the offense, the 89ers had a quality game in terms of shooting percentage; they were 10-for-20 on 3s and 19-for-38 on 2s.For Shinshu, Takanori Goya was the high scorer, finishing with 23 points, including 5-for-9 on 3-pointers. Jermaine Green scored 20 points and Wayne Marshall added 10.On Monday, the 89ers defeated the visitors 79-67.Cummings paced the hosts with a game-high 34 points on 15-for-27 shooting from the field, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Kevin Coble had 12 points, Takuya Komoda added 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals and Willard had eight points and 11 rebounds.Shimura contributed six assists and three steals.The 89ers only attempted five 3s (all misses) in the game. They shot 53 percent from inside the arc (35-for-66)."On Christmas Eve our players wanted to give our boosters a victory, but we kept stressing that Santa wasn't going to show up and give them a win as a present, only sweat and hard work from the eleven guys in the yellow Sendai jerseys could do that," Pierce said after the game."T.J. had a great all-around game, and having a full week of practices really helped," the veteran coach added. "Taku (Komoda) also gave us a slight edge in the battle of the All-Stars (over Goya)."But I thought one real difference today in following our game plan, was the effort on both ends of the court from Daisuke Takaoka and Spike (Atsushi Nogami)..."After the series ended, Piere admitted stepped up and overcome adversity to pick up the second win."Taku was out today with a sprained ankle — last 11 seconds of yesterday's game — so we asked Daisuke to start and we took a 45-36 into halftime. Then on the first play of the second half Daisuke got hurt," the coach said.
Clarke's status uncertain for test
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia captain Michael Clarke put himself through a tough fitness test on Tuesday but has not yet decided whether he will lead his side in the Boxing Day test against Sri Lanka.Clarke suffered a hamstring injury during last week's first-test win by Australia and has made steady improvement in recent days, including batting and fielding sessions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Christmas Day.Clarke said "it's improving every day . . . but a decision can't be made today."
Defensive star Hunt leads charge in Hawaii Bowl rout
HONOLULU — SMU coach June Jones walked out of Aloha Stadium with another win Saturday, thanks largely to a disruptive performance by defensive end Margus Hunt that set the tone for the Mustangs' 43-10 win over Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl.
Go long: SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert drops back to pass against Fresno St. during the Hawaii Bowl. SMU won 43-10. APHunt, the 203-cm senior from Estonia with an 82-inch wing span, forced two fumbles that led to field goals and sacked Derek Carr for a safety as SMU (7-6) built a 22-0 halftime lead and never looked back.The Mustangs also returned two interceptions for touchdowns, giving them eight for the season to tie the NCAA record set last year by Southern Miss. Hayden Greenbauer picked off Carr and returned it 83 yards with 1:14 left, the final blow to a miserable night for the Bulldogs (9-4).SMU had seven sacks, the most Fresno State has given up all year.Garrett Gilbert was effective with his arm and his legs, running for a 17-yard touchdown for the first score of the game and throwing a perfect strike to Darius Johnson for a 21-yard score to answer the Bulldogs' only touchdown. He rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries and threw for 212 yards.But this game was decided by the Mustangs' defense, with Hunt leading the way. He was voted the game's MVP.Fresno State, which had averaged just over 47 points in its last five games, was held scoreless in the first half for the first time in two years, and Carr was too busy running for his life to get the Bulldogs into any kind of offensive rhythm.The Mustangs were playing in a school-record fourth straight bowl game since ending a 25-year drought dating to its infamous NCAA death penalty. They have won three of those bowl games, twice as big underdogs to explosive offenses — a 45-10 win over Nevada in 2009 and Saturday against Fresno State, both in the Hawaii Bowl.That's where Jones feels right at home, even though the flea market earlier in the day drew more people.He was the coach at Hawaii for eight years, leaving after its unbeaten regular season in 2007. Jones now has won 10 straight games in Aloha Stadium, dating to a December 2006 loss to Oregon State."I just want to say 'Aloha' to the seniors," Jones said during the trophy presentation. "We said we were going to do it and we did it."Without hardly breaking a sweat.Hunt, who won the Junior World Championships in Beijing in 2006 in the shot put and discus, came to SMU to work on athletics and earned a scholarship when coaches took one look at him, and saw his 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash. He set an NCAA record this year by blocking his 10th field goal.His speed made all the difference in his final college game as Hunt zipped around tackles and harassed Carr all night. Carr finished with 362 yards on 33-of-54 passing. The 10 points were the fewest Fresno State has scored since a 20-10 loss to Boise State this year.The Bulldogs hardly looked like a team averaging 488 yards a game. Carr spent more time on his back than stepping into throws as the Mustangs' defensive front — particularly Hunt — was overwhelming.
Go long: SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert drops back to pass against Fresno St. during the Hawaii Bowl. SMU won 43-10. APHunt, the 203-cm senior from Estonia with an 82-inch wing span, forced two fumbles that led to field goals and sacked Derek Carr for a safety as SMU (7-6) built a 22-0 halftime lead and never looked back.The Mustangs also returned two interceptions for touchdowns, giving them eight for the season to tie the NCAA record set last year by Southern Miss. Hayden Greenbauer picked off Carr and returned it 83 yards with 1:14 left, the final blow to a miserable night for the Bulldogs (9-4).SMU had seven sacks, the most Fresno State has given up all year.Garrett Gilbert was effective with his arm and his legs, running for a 17-yard touchdown for the first score of the game and throwing a perfect strike to Darius Johnson for a 21-yard score to answer the Bulldogs' only touchdown. He rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries and threw for 212 yards.But this game was decided by the Mustangs' defense, with Hunt leading the way. He was voted the game's MVP.Fresno State, which had averaged just over 47 points in its last five games, was held scoreless in the first half for the first time in two years, and Carr was too busy running for his life to get the Bulldogs into any kind of offensive rhythm.The Mustangs were playing in a school-record fourth straight bowl game since ending a 25-year drought dating to its infamous NCAA death penalty. They have won three of those bowl games, twice as big underdogs to explosive offenses — a 45-10 win over Nevada in 2009 and Saturday against Fresno State, both in the Hawaii Bowl.That's where Jones feels right at home, even though the flea market earlier in the day drew more people.He was the coach at Hawaii for eight years, leaving after its unbeaten regular season in 2007. Jones now has won 10 straight games in Aloha Stadium, dating to a December 2006 loss to Oregon State."I just want to say 'Aloha' to the seniors," Jones said during the trophy presentation. "We said we were going to do it and we did it."Without hardly breaking a sweat.Hunt, who won the Junior World Championships in Beijing in 2006 in the shot put and discus, came to SMU to work on athletics and earned a scholarship when coaches took one look at him, and saw his 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash. He set an NCAA record this year by blocking his 10th field goal.His speed made all the difference in his final college game as Hunt zipped around tackles and harassed Carr all night. Carr finished with 362 yards on 33-of-54 passing. The 10 points were the fewest Fresno State has scored since a 20-10 loss to Boise State this year.The Bulldogs hardly looked like a team averaging 488 yards a game. Carr spent more time on his back than stepping into throws as the Mustangs' defensive front — particularly Hunt — was overwhelming.Colts head coach Pagano makes emotional return to team
INDIANAPOLIS — Chuck Pagano stepped to the podium Monday, hugged his team owner, thanked his family for their support and wiped a tear from his eye.He might, finally, turn out the lights in his office, too.Nearly three months to the day after being diagnosed with leukemia, the Colts' first-year coach returned to a team eager to reunite with a boss healthy enough to go back to work."I told you my best day of my life was July 1, 1989," Pagano said, referring to his wedding date. "Today was No. 2. Getting to pull up, drive in, get out of my car, the key fob still worked. I was beginning to question whether it would or not. When I asked for Bruce (Arians) to take over, I asked for him to kick some you-know-what and to do great. Damn Bruce, you had to go and win nine games? Tough act to follow. Tough act to follow. Best in the history of the NFL. That's what I have to come back to."The comment turned tears into the laughter everyone expected on such a festive occasion.For Pagano and the Colts, Monday morning was as precious as anyone could have imagined when Pagano took an indefinite leave to face the biggest opponent of his life, cancer.In his absence, all the Colts did was win nine of 12 games, make a historic turnaround and clinch a playoff spot all before Sunday's regular-season finale against Houston, which they pegged as the day they hoped to have Pagano back. If all goes well at practice this week, Pagano will be on the sideline for the first time since a Week 3 loss to Jacksonville.Pagano endured three rounds of chemotherapy to put his cancer in remission.That Pagano's return came less than 24 hours after Indy (10-5) locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC and the day before Christmas seemed fitting, too."I know Chuck is ready for this challenge. In speaking to his doctor multiple times, I know that the time is right for him to grab the reins, get the head coaching cap on and begin the journey," owner Jim Irsay said. "It's been a miraculous story. It really is a book. It's a fairytale. It's a Hollywood script. It's all those things but it's real."The reality is that he's returning to a vastly different team than the one he turned over to Arians, his long-time friend and first assistant coaching hire.Back then, the Colts were 1-2 and most of the so-called experts had written them off as one of the league's worst teams. Now, they're ready to show the football world that they can be just as successful under Pagano as they were under Arians, who tied the NFL record for wins after a midseason coaching change.Pagano also has changed.The neatly-trimmed salt-and-pepper hair and trademark goatee that were missing in November have slowly returned, and the thinner man who appeared to be catching his breath during a postgame speech in early November, looked and sounded as good as ever Monday.He repeatedly thanked fans for their prayers and letters, the organization and his family for their unwavering help and promised to provide comfort and support to other people who are facing similar fights. During one poignant moment that nearly brought out tears again, Pagano even recounted a letter sent to him by a 9-year-old child who suggested he suck on ice chips and strawberry Popsicles in the hospital and advised him to be nice to the nurses regardless of how he felt — and he never even paused."I feel great, my weight is back, my energy is back and again, it's just a blessing to be back here," Pagano said.In the minds of Colts players and coaches, Pagano never really left.
Fergie praises dynamic RVP
LONDON — Alex Ferguson has hailed Robin van Persie as the missing piece in Manchester United's title jigsaw as the Premier League leaders prepare to try and extend their lead at the top against Newcastle on Wednesday.
The missing piece: Alex Ferguson believes Robin van Persie is essential to Manchester United's title hopes. AFP-JIJIVan Persie has had a superb start to his United career after leaving Arsenal in a ?24 million move before the season and the Dutch forward's haul of 15 goals have help fire Ferguson's team four points clear of defending champion Manchester City heading into the hectic Christmas program.The 29-year-old's dynamic displays have added an extra edge to United in the same way French playmaker Eric Cantona and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo galvanized previous teams in the Ferguson era.After missing out on the title last season, United was in need of a new driving force this term, and Ferguson believes van Persie is providing it."I am reluctant to subscribe to the cult of an individual. But sometimes you find the last piece of the jigsaw," Ferguson told United's official matchday program."We did it when we brought Eric Cantona to Old Trafford and he proved to be the right player at the right club at the right time. He became the catalyst and springboard for our surge to success."It doesn't have to be signing someone for a record fee. Cristiano Ronaldo was not a record buy either but he certainly made a difference as he prospered with us to the extent that he came to be regarded by a lot of people as the world's best player."Without van Persie's goals, United would be eighth and that perhaps explained Ferguson's fury when Swansea defender Ashley Williams kicked the ball into the Dutchman's head as he lay prone on the turf during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liberty Stadium.How Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini must rue van Persie's decision to snub the champions in favor of joining United.Mancini had hoped to make van Persie the centerpiece of his team as he looked to build upon last season's title triumph, but instead he has had to watch the striker revitalize his club's hated archrival, while his own strike-force has gone through a barren period.Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko all labored against Reading, the division's bottom club, on Saturday and it was left to England midfielder Gareth Barry to show them how to put the ball in the net with a stoppage-time winner.The good news for Mancini's side was United's failure to defeat Swansea 24 hours later, a result which will give fresh impetus to City's challenge according to defender Kolo Toure."It's giving us encouragement because we haven't played to our best yet," Toure said ahead of Wednesday's game at Sunderland."Every team knows we are champions. They play 200 percent and that makes it really hard for us. We just keep fighting, keep pushing and we can still be better."United and City could be forgiven for regarding the title race as a strictly Manchester affair this season, especially as Chelsea have appeared on the verge of self-destructing at times.But the Blues finally showed signs of emerging as a serious contender on Sunday thanks to an 8-0 demolition of Aston Villa.That victory left Chelsea 11 points behind United but with a game in hand.
The missing piece: Alex Ferguson believes Robin van Persie is essential to Manchester United's title hopes. AFP-JIJIVan Persie has had a superb start to his United career after leaving Arsenal in a ?24 million move before the season and the Dutch forward's haul of 15 goals have help fire Ferguson's team four points clear of defending champion Manchester City heading into the hectic Christmas program.The 29-year-old's dynamic displays have added an extra edge to United in the same way French playmaker Eric Cantona and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo galvanized previous teams in the Ferguson era.After missing out on the title last season, United was in need of a new driving force this term, and Ferguson believes van Persie is providing it."I am reluctant to subscribe to the cult of an individual. But sometimes you find the last piece of the jigsaw," Ferguson told United's official matchday program."We did it when we brought Eric Cantona to Old Trafford and he proved to be the right player at the right club at the right time. He became the catalyst and springboard for our surge to success."It doesn't have to be signing someone for a record fee. Cristiano Ronaldo was not a record buy either but he certainly made a difference as he prospered with us to the extent that he came to be regarded by a lot of people as the world's best player."Without van Persie's goals, United would be eighth and that perhaps explained Ferguson's fury when Swansea defender Ashley Williams kicked the ball into the Dutchman's head as he lay prone on the turf during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liberty Stadium.How Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini must rue van Persie's decision to snub the champions in favor of joining United.Mancini had hoped to make van Persie the centerpiece of his team as he looked to build upon last season's title triumph, but instead he has had to watch the striker revitalize his club's hated archrival, while his own strike-force has gone through a barren period.Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko all labored against Reading, the division's bottom club, on Saturday and it was left to England midfielder Gareth Barry to show them how to put the ball in the net with a stoppage-time winner.The good news for Mancini's side was United's failure to defeat Swansea 24 hours later, a result which will give fresh impetus to City's challenge according to defender Kolo Toure."It's giving us encouragement because we haven't played to our best yet," Toure said ahead of Wednesday's game at Sunderland."Every team knows we are champions. They play 200 percent and that makes it really hard for us. We just keep fighting, keep pushing and we can still be better."United and City could be forgiven for regarding the title race as a strictly Manchester affair this season, especially as Chelsea have appeared on the verge of self-destructing at times.But the Blues finally showed signs of emerging as a serious contender on Sunday thanks to an 8-0 demolition of Aston Villa.That victory left Chelsea 11 points behind United but with a game in hand.Chelsea's sudden resurgence eases pressure on Benitez
LONDON — Chelsea's free-scoring form is slowly chipping away at the enmity toward new manager Rafa Benitez from the club's fans.The 8-0 demolition of Wigan on Sunday showcased Chelsea's attacking prowess, and dispelled some of the fears about the dour soccer Benitez could introduce after replacing Roberto Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge last month."There won't be one of our fans watching who didn't enjoy the performance and hopefully we can continue," Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said. "The manager said he is going to keep working hard and doing his best and as players that is what we try to do, and I am sure we will win people over with performances like that."The club record-equaling league win on Sunday was secured despite being Chelsea's fifth match in 15 days, including a grueling Club World Cup trip to Japan that was followed by a 5-1 League Cup win at Leeds.Now the team has another five games to negotiate in 15 days during the Christmas-New Year program, starting Wednesday at Norwich.Norwich embarked on a 10-match unbeaten run after losing at Chelsea in October, including wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, but was beaten by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.Sitting third, Chelsea could be back in the title race if the resurgence continues. While seven points behind Manchester City and 11 adrift of Manchester United, Chelsea has a game in hand after beating Villa to end a stretch of more than two months without a home win in the league."We showed what we are capable of and it is just a matter of consistency now," Cahill said. "We have a lot of young players but on a day like Sunday you can really see the quality in the squad."Most importantly for Chelsea, Fernando Torres has been rejuvenated under fellow Spaniard Benitez, who first brought him to England when he was in charge at Liverpool.The striker has netted seven goals in his last six games — all under Benitez — having scored only seven in the opening four months of the season."As soon as he started scoring goals, he had confidence — and for a striker it is key," Benitez said. "The team is doing well so he has more chances."David Luiz is another player who is thriving under Benitez. The Brazilian defender was among the seven goal scorers on Sunday and produced a vibrant display when he was redeployed from central defense to midfield.Luiz scored from a free kick as he did in the two Champions League group stage wins over Nordsjaelland though the side failed to advance to the knockout portion of the competition."During training I try different things, different movements — it's a natural technique, I've not studied it," Luiz said. "When I was younger, I would always try to kick the ball like that and, when you become a more experienced player, you get more confidence to do it."Chelsea's mission is to keep the confidence flowing through the team just as it did in the early weeks of the season when the Blues topped the standings.The current leader, United, heads to Newcastle on Wednesday.Newcastle, though, has won just two of its last 12 games and is 14th after finishing an impressive fifth last season and hasn't won at Old Trafford since 1972.But United defender Jonny Evans remains wary of the power in the Newcastle strike forced provided by Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse."When the ball is floating around in the box, they beat people in the air," Evans said. "And their goal record is what got Newcastle to where they were last year."United's lead over Manchester City was trimmed to just four points over the weekend.City, which needed a stoppage-time goal from Gareth Barry to beat bottom-place Reading on Saturday, heads to Sunderland on Wednesday as the season reaches its halfway mark.Boxing Day would usually see every Premier League team in action, but Arsenal's match against West Ham was postponed due to a strike by London Underground workers threatening to disrupt transport in the city.Arsenal has a loose grip on the fourth Champions League qualification place, with Everton, Tottenham and West Brom only behind on goal difference as they prepare to face relegation-threatened teams.
LeBron reflects on spectacular year
MIAMI — Pat Riley has a theory why LeBron James' journey to basketball's mountaintop took so long.Growth, he said, takes time.
King James: LeBron James made good on years of promise by winning his third MVP Award and leading the Miami Heat to the NBA title last season. AP"I always use the analogy of the Chinese bamboo tree," said the Miami Heat president. "You plant the seed in the ground and it just sits there and 10 years later it grows 100 feet in one year. Over the 10 years, there's a root structure and a taproot that is growing deeper and deeper and deeper and is embedded in the ground. And when that thing starts growing, it ain't going anywhere but up."That is, much like James did in 2012.It was practically a year beyond compare. James got his first NBA championship, was the league's MVP for the third time, a unanimous choice as MVP of the NBA Finals, and collected a second Olympic gold medal. And in perhaps the last marquee moment of his year, James and the Heat play host to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, a Finals rematch on Christmas.No longer uncomfortable with the fallout for the way he exercised his right in 2010 to choose his own future, he enjoyed a year loaded with triumphs. James allowed himself to be in the public eye more, heard booing in most road arenas return to normal levels and insists he's as content as ever."I'm driven," James said, "by something greater."He's has money. He would figure to contend for several more championships if he remains healthy. He has enormous fame. He is on top of his game and in his prime. The 27-year-old James is averaging 25.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists and the Heat are leading the Eastern Conference with an 18-6 record.What's left is legacy, him attempting to ensure he truly becomes one of the greatest.That starts with putting himself out there more now.A few weeks ago, James decided to join some friends for an evening bike ride. They pedaled about 32 km that evening, an outing that proved James has completed a much longer journey.That night, without any trepidation, James was part of a group of 3,000 people who strapped on helmets and rode through Miami in an effort to promote safety and awareness for bicyclists."Two years ago," James said, "I don't know if I would have been ready for that."There's no way he would have been ready for that. Not after The Decision and the criticism and all that came with it, part of what he now calls his transformation from the person he was to the person he is.Turns out, they're nearly the same, although today's version may have just wrapped up one of the best years by any athlete."He's still hungry and thirsty for more," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "And I think that's what separates the great ones and the ultimate competitors. He came off of a historic year, able to win the MVP and crown it with the ultimate team goal. . . . He wants to continue to reinvent himself, get better and drive this team, push this team for a bigger legacy than just a one-title team."James recently starred in a commercial for Samsung, one of many companies that pay him for endorsements. This particular spot, though, was more like a snapshot of James' life, in that it was as genuine as any ad he's ever done.There's no actors in the primary roles — his fiancee, his friends, his children, his barber, his teammates, even the kids from the LeBron James Family Foundation, they're all playing themselves in the spot. Two years ago, James never would have asked any of them to be part of an ad campaign, simply to spare them from potential scorn.That's no longer a problem."I wanted to be real," James said. "I wanted to go out and say, 'This is who I am' and I wanted to do it in commercial form. It's a commercial, but it's also actuality. There's nothing fake about it. I was blessed that we were able to put it together the right way, the way we actually envisioned it."Funny how those words now apply to what the Heat did in 2010.They signed James and Chris Bosh, kept Dwyane Wade, added pieces around them and — albeit a year later than they planned — became NBA champions. When that moment came, when James knew his wait to become a champion was at last about to end, the first thing he did was bury his head in Bosh's chest, trying not to cry.James often says he is "humbled" by awards or praise. Never did he feel more humble in 2012.His first act of the year — moments after midnight on Jan. 1 — was proposing to girlfriend Savannah Brinson. The way James sees it, that move on bended knee set the tone for everything else to fall into place."Can you propose twice?" James asked. "Can I do that again to get another year like this?"
King James: LeBron James made good on years of promise by winning his third MVP Award and leading the Miami Heat to the NBA title last season. AP"I always use the analogy of the Chinese bamboo tree," said the Miami Heat president. "You plant the seed in the ground and it just sits there and 10 years later it grows 100 feet in one year. Over the 10 years, there's a root structure and a taproot that is growing deeper and deeper and deeper and is embedded in the ground. And when that thing starts growing, it ain't going anywhere but up."That is, much like James did in 2012.It was practically a year beyond compare. James got his first NBA championship, was the league's MVP for the third time, a unanimous choice as MVP of the NBA Finals, and collected a second Olympic gold medal. And in perhaps the last marquee moment of his year, James and the Heat play host to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, a Finals rematch on Christmas.No longer uncomfortable with the fallout for the way he exercised his right in 2010 to choose his own future, he enjoyed a year loaded with triumphs. James allowed himself to be in the public eye more, heard booing in most road arenas return to normal levels and insists he's as content as ever."I'm driven," James said, "by something greater."He's has money. He would figure to contend for several more championships if he remains healthy. He has enormous fame. He is on top of his game and in his prime. The 27-year-old James is averaging 25.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists and the Heat are leading the Eastern Conference with an 18-6 record.What's left is legacy, him attempting to ensure he truly becomes one of the greatest.That starts with putting himself out there more now.A few weeks ago, James decided to join some friends for an evening bike ride. They pedaled about 32 km that evening, an outing that proved James has completed a much longer journey.That night, without any trepidation, James was part of a group of 3,000 people who strapped on helmets and rode through Miami in an effort to promote safety and awareness for bicyclists."Two years ago," James said, "I don't know if I would have been ready for that."There's no way he would have been ready for that. Not after The Decision and the criticism and all that came with it, part of what he now calls his transformation from the person he was to the person he is.Turns out, they're nearly the same, although today's version may have just wrapped up one of the best years by any athlete."He's still hungry and thirsty for more," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "And I think that's what separates the great ones and the ultimate competitors. He came off of a historic year, able to win the MVP and crown it with the ultimate team goal. . . . He wants to continue to reinvent himself, get better and drive this team, push this team for a bigger legacy than just a one-title team."James recently starred in a commercial for Samsung, one of many companies that pay him for endorsements. This particular spot, though, was more like a snapshot of James' life, in that it was as genuine as any ad he's ever done.There's no actors in the primary roles — his fiancee, his friends, his children, his barber, his teammates, even the kids from the LeBron James Family Foundation, they're all playing themselves in the spot. Two years ago, James never would have asked any of them to be part of an ad campaign, simply to spare them from potential scorn.That's no longer a problem."I wanted to be real," James said. "I wanted to go out and say, 'This is who I am' and I wanted to do it in commercial form. It's a commercial, but it's also actuality. There's nothing fake about it. I was blessed that we were able to put it together the right way, the way we actually envisioned it."Funny how those words now apply to what the Heat did in 2010.They signed James and Chris Bosh, kept Dwyane Wade, added pieces around them and — albeit a year later than they planned — became NBA champions. When that moment came, when James knew his wait to become a champion was at last about to end, the first thing he did was bury his head in Bosh's chest, trying not to cry.James often says he is "humbled" by awards or praise. Never did he feel more humble in 2012.His first act of the year — moments after midnight on Jan. 1 — was proposing to girlfriend Savannah Brinson. The way James sees it, that move on bended knee set the tone for everything else to fall into place."Can you propose twice?" James asked. "Can I do that again to get another year like this?"Bulls keeping pace in East with Rose on mend
CHICAGO — If the Chicago Bulls are this good without point guard Derrick Rose —not great, but good — then could they really be serious title contenders even this season?
You'd, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in the first month as the Bulls lurched along around .500.But as the snow begins to pile up in the Midwest, there's something flying under the radar. Santa's sleigh? No, it's the Bulls quietly third in fewest points allowed and second in both overall defensive shooting percentage and opponents' 3-point shooting. And as December is about to close, it's the Bulls (15-11 through Sunday) hanging in along with Indiana (16-12) at the top of the standings in the Central Division.It comes as the Bulls last week defeated the streaking New York Knicks for the second time this season, including in New York. The Bulls did it with active defense that thwarted the Knicks' open court shooting game, the strategy that enabled the Knicks to defeat Miami twice by 20-point margins.This season, though Bulls management would never publicly acknowledge, is supposed to be about maintaining until Rose can return, perhaps late in the season and playing briefly. The idea is for Rose to jump the mental hurdles of recovery and be at full speed next season.Last season, the Bulls were 18-9 in games Rose was out injured. But the conventional wisdom was that the team would take a step back with Rose out from the beginning. The Bulls parted most of the reserves from last season, the effective, so-called "Bench Mob." They also lost center Omer Asik in free agency to the Houston Rockets.But the new bench arrivals — like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and with more playing time for Jimmy Butler — have begun to produce along with holdover Taj Gibson.In a technicality in the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls had to pass on the options for Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in order to have an exception large enough to sign Kirk Hinrich because without Rose the addition of a point guard was most important.But now with the Bulls apparently able to compete with all the teams in the Eastern Conference, if Rose is able to return according to most estimates in late February or early March, that could be like adding an All-Star and perhaps make the Bulls a legitimate contender by then.Of course, there is a room filled with ifs in that scenario.No one truly can say when Rose will return, or if. The Bulls are playing it cautiously after what they believed was a difficult experience when Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of his second season in 1985.Jordan demanded to return and went public, accusing the Bulls of trying to lose to get a better draft pick. Doctors had told the Bulls Jordan had a 10 percent chance of his career being over if he was hurt again coming back too soon.Jordan being the gambler that he is said that meant there was a 90 percent chance he would not be. He came back and was fine, eventually scoring a record 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs.Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said there'll be no such gambles this time.Rose is in the first season of his massive five-year contract extension.So the Bulls are being cautious. They are saying he must be cleared by multiple doctors first. Rose is accepting that plan.Without Rose, the Bulls have been a team limited in offense, 26th in the league in scoring. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah have taken expanded offensive roles and produced. But there is no Rose-like scorer, so the Bulls have relied on defense and a half-court game to even their playing field.Rose has a step up on Jordan in having won the league MVP in his third season while Jordan won in his fourth. But Jordan also was Defensive Player of the Year. They both are spectacular athletic talents, which remains the concern regarding Rose.Jordan only had a break, which would heal routinely.Rose's injury was much more serious, tearing the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament. If Rose had the same injury back when Jordan got hurt in 1985, there'd be a question of whether he could return and gain back his great athletic ability. A specter hangs over Chicagoans with an ACL tear. Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears probably would have been the best runner in NFL history. But he had that injury and never was the same. But that was in the 1960s.Can Rose come back with the same, amazing explosiveness that few ever have seen before in pro basketball? Physicians say he should be able to, but until he does he hasn't.Which is the concern when Rose does return.Management's plan is to work him back slowly — after doctor approval — starting in late February or early March. He'll be on a minutes limit, like Minnesota's Ricky Rubio is now,.There's a chance doctors will say Rose is not ready. But the Bulls also want Rose to be able to play and put the mental uncertainties of making those basketball moves behind him before presumably returning to full strength next season.Without Rose, the Bulls have been mostly dismissed. After all, you don't lose the league MVP and remain a contender. But if you get back a 24-year-old former league MVP with teammates Deng and Noah playing like All Stars and a productive bench, well, maybe you have something that few considered possible, a contending Chicago Bulls team for 2013.Don't sleep on them yet.Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for 25 years with the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Jordan Rules."
You'd, of course, have said no chance coming into the 2012-13 NBA season, and anytime in the first month as the Bulls lurched along around .500.But as the snow begins to pile up in the Midwest, there's something flying under the radar. Santa's sleigh? No, it's the Bulls quietly third in fewest points allowed and second in both overall defensive shooting percentage and opponents' 3-point shooting. And as December is about to close, it's the Bulls (15-11 through Sunday) hanging in along with Indiana (16-12) at the top of the standings in the Central Division.It comes as the Bulls last week defeated the streaking New York Knicks for the second time this season, including in New York. The Bulls did it with active defense that thwarted the Knicks' open court shooting game, the strategy that enabled the Knicks to defeat Miami twice by 20-point margins.This season, though Bulls management would never publicly acknowledge, is supposed to be about maintaining until Rose can return, perhaps late in the season and playing briefly. The idea is for Rose to jump the mental hurdles of recovery and be at full speed next season.Last season, the Bulls were 18-9 in games Rose was out injured. But the conventional wisdom was that the team would take a step back with Rose out from the beginning. The Bulls parted most of the reserves from last season, the effective, so-called "Bench Mob." They also lost center Omer Asik in free agency to the Houston Rockets.But the new bench arrivals — like Marco Belinelli, Nate Robinson and with more playing time for Jimmy Butler — have begun to produce along with holdover Taj Gibson.In a technicality in the new collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls had to pass on the options for Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas in order to have an exception large enough to sign Kirk Hinrich because without Rose the addition of a point guard was most important.But now with the Bulls apparently able to compete with all the teams in the Eastern Conference, if Rose is able to return according to most estimates in late February or early March, that could be like adding an All-Star and perhaps make the Bulls a legitimate contender by then.Of course, there is a room filled with ifs in that scenario.No one truly can say when Rose will return, or if. The Bulls are playing it cautiously after what they believed was a difficult experience when Michael Jordan broke his foot at the beginning of his second season in 1985.Jordan demanded to return and went public, accusing the Bulls of trying to lose to get a better draft pick. Doctors had told the Bulls Jordan had a 10 percent chance of his career being over if he was hurt again coming back too soon.Jordan being the gambler that he is said that meant there was a 90 percent chance he would not be. He came back and was fine, eventually scoring a record 63 points against the Celtics in the playoffs.Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said there'll be no such gambles this time.Rose is in the first season of his massive five-year contract extension.So the Bulls are being cautious. They are saying he must be cleared by multiple doctors first. Rose is accepting that plan.Without Rose, the Bulls have been a team limited in offense, 26th in the league in scoring. Luol Deng and Joakim Noah have taken expanded offensive roles and produced. But there is no Rose-like scorer, so the Bulls have relied on defense and a half-court game to even their playing field.Rose has a step up on Jordan in having won the league MVP in his third season while Jordan won in his fourth. But Jordan also was Defensive Player of the Year. They both are spectacular athletic talents, which remains the concern regarding Rose.Jordan only had a break, which would heal routinely.Rose's injury was much more serious, tearing the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament. If Rose had the same injury back when Jordan got hurt in 1985, there'd be a question of whether he could return and gain back his great athletic ability. A specter hangs over Chicagoans with an ACL tear. Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears probably would have been the best runner in NFL history. But he had that injury and never was the same. But that was in the 1960s.Can Rose come back with the same, amazing explosiveness that few ever have seen before in pro basketball? Physicians say he should be able to, but until he does he hasn't.Which is the concern when Rose does return.Management's plan is to work him back slowly — after doctor approval — starting in late February or early March. He'll be on a minutes limit, like Minnesota's Ricky Rubio is now,.There's a chance doctors will say Rose is not ready. But the Bulls also want Rose to be able to play and put the mental uncertainties of making those basketball moves behind him before presumably returning to full strength next season.Without Rose, the Bulls have been mostly dismissed. After all, you don't lose the league MVP and remain a contender. But if you get back a 24-year-old former league MVP with teammates Deng and Noah playing like All Stars and a productive bench, well, maybe you have something that few considered possible, a contending Chicago Bulls team for 2013.Don't sleep on them yet.Sam Smith covered the Chicago Bulls for 25 years with the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the best-selling book "The Jordan Rules."Free-agent Hirano returns to Orix
Keiichi Hirano, a 33-year-old free agent who plays both second base and center field, signed with his former club, the Orix Buffaloes, on Tuesday.Hirano, a premium pre-draft signing of the Orix BlueWave in 2002, was traded to the Hanshin Tigers in December 2007. In 2011, he won the Central League's Best Nine Award at second base and a Golden Glove Award.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Takagi named V-Varen Nagasaki coach
NAGASAKI — Former Japan striker Takuya Takagi will coach promoted J.League second division side V-Varen Nagasaki next season, the team announced on Thursday.Nagasaki won the Japan Football League, the de facto third division, this year to book a spot in J2 for 2013. The 45-year-old Takagi, a Nagasaki native, managed Roasso Kumamoto of J2 the last two seasons and has been at the helm of Yokohama FC as well as Tokyo Verdy."It's a great pleasure to be returning to my hometown, Nagasaki, as manager," Takagi said in a statement. "At the same time, I feel a great sense of responsibility. I hope we can become a source of hope and dreams for the people of Nagasaki Prefecture."
Aoki continues All-Star streak with seventh selection
Before the Ryukyu Golden Kings ever played a game and before Okinawa proved to be a terrific location for a Japanese professional basketball team, Cohey Aoki had already established himself as a fan favorite in the bj-league.
Lucky seven: Tokyo guard Cohey Aoki has been chosen for his seventh bj-league All-Star Game. YOSHIAKI MIURAThe league's first-ever All-Star Game, held in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, in January 2007, included then-Tokyo Apache guard Aoki. Since then, he's been the only player in league history to appear in each of the next five showcase games in Niigata; Beppu, Oita Prefecture; Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture; Osaka; and Saitama.Aoki, now the cornerstone player for the expansion Tokyo Cinq Reves, will make his seventh All-Star assignment — all starts — on Jan. 20 at Ariake Colosseum. He is the highest-scoring Japanese player in the league this season, averaging 14.5 points per game.And despite his small stature, the 167-cm Aoki's shooting skills have stood tall. He's shooting 50.4 percent from inside the 3-point arc and better than 93 percent at the free-throw line. His clutch 3-point shooting remains the stuff of legends, too.Tokyo coach Motofumi Aoki, who has kept the new club (7-11 through Sunday) within shooting distance of playoff contention, will direct the Eastern Conference club, with Yokohama B-Corsairs coach Reggie Geary serving as his bench assistant.The rest of the East's starting five includes three-time All-Star guard Takanori Goya (Shinshu Brave Warriors, 10.5 ppg) and first-timers Marquin Chandler (Chiba Jets, 19.4 ppg), Jonathan Jones (Tokyo, 21.3 ppg) and Dillion Sneed (Iwate Big Bulls, 17.5 ppg).The East's All-Star backups are guards Shigehiro Taguchi (Akita), Kimitake Sato (Niigata), Masashi Joho (Toyama, a five-time selection), Shingo Okada (Gunma), Takuma Yamashiro (Saitama) and Draelon Burns (Yokohama) and forward Takuya Komoda (Sendai).For the Western Conference, the starting backcourt features Tsubasa Yonamine (4.9 ppg, 4-to-1 assist/turnover ratio) and Narito Namizato (13.1 ppg) of the Ryukyu Golden Kings and Kings forward Anthony McHenry (15.1 ppg), and Kyoto Hannaryz forward David Palmer (14.9 ppg) and Shimane Susanoo Magic forward Kazuya "J." Hatano (8.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 18 appearances with Oita before joining Shimane recently). The West's head coach is Ryukyu's Koto Toyama and Atsushi Kanazawa of the Rizing Fukuoka is his assistant.The West's reserves are guards Shinya Ogawa (Shiga), Hiroyuki Kikuchi (Takamatsu), Akitomo Takeno (Fukuoka), Taishiro Shimizu (Oita) and forwards/centers Atsuya Ota (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa), Nathan Walkup (Osaka) and Michael Parker (Shimane).For the 3-Point Shootout, the contestants are Aoki, Toyama's Angel Garcia, Iwate's Kenichi Takahashi, Ogawa, Kyoto's Yu Okada and Palmer. Aoki is the defending champion.In the Slam Dunk Contest, the participants are Toyama's Ira Brown, Tokyo's Akihito Inoue, Tokyo's Dennis Carr, Shiga's Ray Nixon, Osaka's Yoshihiro Tachibana, a two-time champion, and Miyazaki's Larriques Cunningham. (Defending champion John "Helicopter" Humphrey of Saitama is sidelined with a back injury.)Five Arrows talk: Takamatsu (7-11) has already won more than three times as many games as last season, and coach Kenzo Maeda's club still has 34 contests remaining on its 2012-13 schedule.Stranger things have happened than a team recovering from a 2-50 season to rebound to respectable form the next campaign, and swingman Dexter Lyons, the Five Arrows' leading scorer (15.0 ppg) is confident his team is just getting started."To me, it is vital and pivotal for everyone to understand their role as a player on this particular team," Lyons told The Japan Times. "We are a 'defensive team,' but with offensive weapons too, and I think that we have to understand we have to be the team to initiate the aggressiveness from the start, or we will continue to fight against ourselves."In 18 games, Takamatsu has put 1,346 points on the board and yielded 1,400."As this team continues to understand our identity, we have shown to be a good team base unit," Lyons continued. "No one on this team thinks they are the only star on the team, including me."We share the basketball on offense, but some players lack the confidence it takes on an every-game basis. I think that we have to improve on boxing out and rebounding. Too many times I can recall us as a team giving up too many second-chance points causing the other team to push their lead further."Despite the fact that Takamatsu has made big strides since last season, Lyons, who's in his first season with the Shikoku-based club after playing for Miyazaki in 2011-12, realizes the Five Arrows are far from a finished product.At this point in the season, I am not happy," he admitted, "but I think we are shocking many clubs with the personnel that we have, being we have some first-timers in the bj-league and that we are inexperienced with our Japanese players."We are getting better every day and I see us becoming a talented ball club with the smarts of coach Kenzo."To a man, Lyons has a chip on his shoulder as he reflects on the team's status and its image."I don't like that the league still thinks this is last year's team that only won two games," he said bluntly. "And I think the refs are carrying this into this season. Just saying . . . I respect them, but they need to get better or this may cause major problems around this league.""I firmly believe that we have not played our best basketball yet, but I will make sure to lead these guys," the Central Florida product declared.89ers update: Taking stock of their season to date, Sendai 89ers bench boss Bob Pierce said his team, in a rebuilding mode with seven new players on its opening day roster, needs to employ more physicality on the court, especially in the closing minutes of games.Speaking after the 89ers' 79-68 defeat last Friday against the host B-Corsairs, Pierce said his club did not match Yokohama's physical intensity and strength in the two-game series (both losses for the guests)."I thought the biggest difference down the stretch was as the game got physical and there were bumps and pushes on every play, we were the ones going like this (backing off) and looking to the referees," said Pierce after his team dropped its fifth straight game and fell to 5-12."And when the game gets physical, if you're not physical back, you are going to lose and the biggest difference in the last six minutes or so is that we were little kids out there complaining to our mommy to come help us because someone was pushing us around."In order to climb in the standings and enter the playoff conversation in the East, the ninth-place 89ers need to become better rebounders, Pierce said, especially "when you are playing to get the key rebounds at the end of the defensive possession." He added that the team is giving up too many second-chance points.Furthermore, Sendai's in-game time management has been inadequate.Case in point: the series finale against Yokohama."We used all of our timeouts, just trying to control the game and avoid turnovers with 4 minutes to go, and I always try to save two or three to the end," Pierce said. "So the fact that we had to use seven timeouts before the 4-minute mark was a sign that not just the guards but our team is not taking care of the ball and controlling what's going on, on the court."Newcomer T.J. Cummings played his first two games in an 89ers uniform last weekend, and working him into the mix and getting adjusted to his new teammates is a work in progress."With T.J. coming on, obviously sometimes the defensive and offensive rotations were off . . . especially when they had to make quick decisions on pick-and-rolls with Draelon (Burns) and Thomas Kennedy," Pierce said. "Those things in particular are things we have to work on, making sure we are physical on rebounding."Burns and Kennedy combined for 36 points in the series opener, followed by 41 a day later.B-Corsairs banter: Under the steady leadership of second-year sideline supervisor Reggie Geary, the bj-league's 2011-12 Coach of the Year, Yokohama is among the league's hottest teams as the year winds down.Yokohama (12-6) has won four straight, six of its last seven and seven of its last 10.Strong defense and 3-point shootings are keys to the team's success."I've been saying from day one that's how this team was built," Geary said last week. "We want to be an up-tempo team. We felt that we had a good core of shooters coming back, and we added some new scorers to the equation. And so we want to spread the floor and do exactly what we are doing right now.The B-Corsairs are 160-for-419 from beyond the 3-point arc, with Masayuki Kabaya (44-for-96) and Burns (46-for-110) their top two options.Returning to the Final Four after accomplishing that feat as a first-year franchise remains the top target for Geary's club."I'm excited about where we're at, but I'm more excited about where we are going because we can play so much better and still have a long way to go in terms of where we eventually want to be," Geary said.Pressed for more details, he responded by saying, "What has been the most pleasant revelation has been how this team has found a way to be very, very good defensively, and I think that we're playing defense at the right time. And for me, as the head coach, the most encouraging thing is defensively we're really doing some good things."To illustrate his point, Geary noted that in the team's last 16 quarters, or four games, including the Sendai series, his team had only allowed 20 or more points in three quarters.In related news, the B-Corsairs have added big man Shawn Malloy, a University of New Orleans product, to their roster. The announcement was made on Wednesday.The 209-cm veteran played for the Iwate Big Bulls last season and averaged 10.5 rebounds (sixth-best total in the league) and 11.2 points per game.Upcoming games: Weekend action features Akita vs. Saitama, Niigata vs. Gunma, Chiba vs. Yokohama, Tokyo vs. Iwate, Shiga vs. Takamatsu, Osaka vs. Kyoto, Miyazaki vs. Fukuoka, Shimane vs. Oita and Ryukyu vs. Hamamatsu.Sendai and Shinshu, meanwhile, will renew their rivalry in a series that tips off on Christmas Eve.Around the league: The Golden Kings (15-3) have lost three straight games. Star forward Anthony McHenry (knee) did not play last weekend, giving his body a chance to rest. . . . The blockbuster Golden Kings-Phoenix matchup this weekend features the teams that have captured the past four league titles. This series marks their first regular-season meeting as Western Conference rivals. Hamamatsu, winners of seven straight, left the Eastern Conference after finishing runnerup to Ryukyu in May's championship match at Ariake Colosseum. . . .Gunma opened the season with 12 straight defeats, but has climbed out of the cellar with four wins in its past eight games. Credit coach Ryan Blackwell, who was left to pick up the pieces after original bench boss Tadashi Hayashi, 0-8 in his brief stint in charge, was shown the door in early November following the team's disastrous start. Floor leader Jermaine Dixon has played an instrumental role in giving the team a better grasp of how to compete in this league. The same can be said for guards Shingo Okada and Kenya Tomori, who, along with Dixon, previously starred for the Phoenix, including on last season's championship runnerup team.Weekly accolade: Shimane center Jeral Davis, a 216-cm Talladega State (Alabama) product, had a major influence on the Susanoo Magic's back-to-back wins over Ryukyu last weekend in Okinawa.Davis, the Lawson/Ponta Weekly MVP, blocked 12 shots in the series, including eight on Saturday. He also had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the series opener. A day later, Davis scored 20 points, grabbed eight boards and handed out three assists. He is the league's top shot blocker (3.6 per game) and is on pace to finish atop that category for the third straight season.On Tuesday, Shimane coach Zeljko Pavlicevic wrote in an email that he's very pleased with the combined efforts of Davis and Parker in leading the team to a pair of big victories and their role as tone-setters for the squad.New addition: The Saitama Broncos announced the signing of veteran post player Wayne Oliver on Tuesday.The 201-cm Oliver, 31, attended Cameron University in Oklahoma before embarking on a career that has included stops in the IBL, ABA, Syria, China and Mexico.Struggling Akita: The Northern Happinets have dropped six of their last 10 games. They were 7-1 to begin the season, and are now 11-7 and in sixth place — the final playoff spot — in the East, after being in first place a few weeks ago.Akita brought in 199-cm forward Marshall Brown this week, the latest acquisition by Kazuo Nakamura's team, which employs a revolving-door policy for import players more so than any other club in the 21-team circuit.Brown, a Missouri product, began the season with Miyazaki.The 27-year-old played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA Development League last season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 41 games (12 starts).Got a story idea about the bj-league? Send an email to edward.odeven@japantimes.co.jp
Lucky seven: Tokyo guard Cohey Aoki has been chosen for his seventh bj-league All-Star Game. YOSHIAKI MIURAThe league's first-ever All-Star Game, held in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, in January 2007, included then-Tokyo Apache guard Aoki. Since then, he's been the only player in league history to appear in each of the next five showcase games in Niigata; Beppu, Oita Prefecture; Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture; Osaka; and Saitama.Aoki, now the cornerstone player for the expansion Tokyo Cinq Reves, will make his seventh All-Star assignment — all starts — on Jan. 20 at Ariake Colosseum. He is the highest-scoring Japanese player in the league this season, averaging 14.5 points per game.And despite his small stature, the 167-cm Aoki's shooting skills have stood tall. He's shooting 50.4 percent from inside the 3-point arc and better than 93 percent at the free-throw line. His clutch 3-point shooting remains the stuff of legends, too.Tokyo coach Motofumi Aoki, who has kept the new club (7-11 through Sunday) within shooting distance of playoff contention, will direct the Eastern Conference club, with Yokohama B-Corsairs coach Reggie Geary serving as his bench assistant.The rest of the East's starting five includes three-time All-Star guard Takanori Goya (Shinshu Brave Warriors, 10.5 ppg) and first-timers Marquin Chandler (Chiba Jets, 19.4 ppg), Jonathan Jones (Tokyo, 21.3 ppg) and Dillion Sneed (Iwate Big Bulls, 17.5 ppg).The East's All-Star backups are guards Shigehiro Taguchi (Akita), Kimitake Sato (Niigata), Masashi Joho (Toyama, a five-time selection), Shingo Okada (Gunma), Takuma Yamashiro (Saitama) and Draelon Burns (Yokohama) and forward Takuya Komoda (Sendai).For the Western Conference, the starting backcourt features Tsubasa Yonamine (4.9 ppg, 4-to-1 assist/turnover ratio) and Narito Namizato (13.1 ppg) of the Ryukyu Golden Kings and Kings forward Anthony McHenry (15.1 ppg), and Kyoto Hannaryz forward David Palmer (14.9 ppg) and Shimane Susanoo Magic forward Kazuya "J." Hatano (8.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 18 appearances with Oita before joining Shimane recently). The West's head coach is Ryukyu's Koto Toyama and Atsushi Kanazawa of the Rizing Fukuoka is his assistant.The West's reserves are guards Shinya Ogawa (Shiga), Hiroyuki Kikuchi (Takamatsu), Akitomo Takeno (Fukuoka), Taishiro Shimizu (Oita) and forwards/centers Atsuya Ota (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa), Nathan Walkup (Osaka) and Michael Parker (Shimane).For the 3-Point Shootout, the contestants are Aoki, Toyama's Angel Garcia, Iwate's Kenichi Takahashi, Ogawa, Kyoto's Yu Okada and Palmer. Aoki is the defending champion.In the Slam Dunk Contest, the participants are Toyama's Ira Brown, Tokyo's Akihito Inoue, Tokyo's Dennis Carr, Shiga's Ray Nixon, Osaka's Yoshihiro Tachibana, a two-time champion, and Miyazaki's Larriques Cunningham. (Defending champion John "Helicopter" Humphrey of Saitama is sidelined with a back injury.)Five Arrows talk: Takamatsu (7-11) has already won more than three times as many games as last season, and coach Kenzo Maeda's club still has 34 contests remaining on its 2012-13 schedule.Stranger things have happened than a team recovering from a 2-50 season to rebound to respectable form the next campaign, and swingman Dexter Lyons, the Five Arrows' leading scorer (15.0 ppg) is confident his team is just getting started."To me, it is vital and pivotal for everyone to understand their role as a player on this particular team," Lyons told The Japan Times. "We are a 'defensive team,' but with offensive weapons too, and I think that we have to understand we have to be the team to initiate the aggressiveness from the start, or we will continue to fight against ourselves."In 18 games, Takamatsu has put 1,346 points on the board and yielded 1,400."As this team continues to understand our identity, we have shown to be a good team base unit," Lyons continued. "No one on this team thinks they are the only star on the team, including me."We share the basketball on offense, but some players lack the confidence it takes on an every-game basis. I think that we have to improve on boxing out and rebounding. Too many times I can recall us as a team giving up too many second-chance points causing the other team to push their lead further."Despite the fact that Takamatsu has made big strides since last season, Lyons, who's in his first season with the Shikoku-based club after playing for Miyazaki in 2011-12, realizes the Five Arrows are far from a finished product.At this point in the season, I am not happy," he admitted, "but I think we are shocking many clubs with the personnel that we have, being we have some first-timers in the bj-league and that we are inexperienced with our Japanese players."We are getting better every day and I see us becoming a talented ball club with the smarts of coach Kenzo."To a man, Lyons has a chip on his shoulder as he reflects on the team's status and its image."I don't like that the league still thinks this is last year's team that only won two games," he said bluntly. "And I think the refs are carrying this into this season. Just saying . . . I respect them, but they need to get better or this may cause major problems around this league.""I firmly believe that we have not played our best basketball yet, but I will make sure to lead these guys," the Central Florida product declared.89ers update: Taking stock of their season to date, Sendai 89ers bench boss Bob Pierce said his team, in a rebuilding mode with seven new players on its opening day roster, needs to employ more physicality on the court, especially in the closing minutes of games.Speaking after the 89ers' 79-68 defeat last Friday against the host B-Corsairs, Pierce said his club did not match Yokohama's physical intensity and strength in the two-game series (both losses for the guests)."I thought the biggest difference down the stretch was as the game got physical and there were bumps and pushes on every play, we were the ones going like this (backing off) and looking to the referees," said Pierce after his team dropped its fifth straight game and fell to 5-12."And when the game gets physical, if you're not physical back, you are going to lose and the biggest difference in the last six minutes or so is that we were little kids out there complaining to our mommy to come help us because someone was pushing us around."In order to climb in the standings and enter the playoff conversation in the East, the ninth-place 89ers need to become better rebounders, Pierce said, especially "when you are playing to get the key rebounds at the end of the defensive possession." He added that the team is giving up too many second-chance points.Furthermore, Sendai's in-game time management has been inadequate.Case in point: the series finale against Yokohama."We used all of our timeouts, just trying to control the game and avoid turnovers with 4 minutes to go, and I always try to save two or three to the end," Pierce said. "So the fact that we had to use seven timeouts before the 4-minute mark was a sign that not just the guards but our team is not taking care of the ball and controlling what's going on, on the court."Newcomer T.J. Cummings played his first two games in an 89ers uniform last weekend, and working him into the mix and getting adjusted to his new teammates is a work in progress."With T.J. coming on, obviously sometimes the defensive and offensive rotations were off . . . especially when they had to make quick decisions on pick-and-rolls with Draelon (Burns) and Thomas Kennedy," Pierce said. "Those things in particular are things we have to work on, making sure we are physical on rebounding."Burns and Kennedy combined for 36 points in the series opener, followed by 41 a day later.B-Corsairs banter: Under the steady leadership of second-year sideline supervisor Reggie Geary, the bj-league's 2011-12 Coach of the Year, Yokohama is among the league's hottest teams as the year winds down.Yokohama (12-6) has won four straight, six of its last seven and seven of its last 10.Strong defense and 3-point shootings are keys to the team's success."I've been saying from day one that's how this team was built," Geary said last week. "We want to be an up-tempo team. We felt that we had a good core of shooters coming back, and we added some new scorers to the equation. And so we want to spread the floor and do exactly what we are doing right now.The B-Corsairs are 160-for-419 from beyond the 3-point arc, with Masayuki Kabaya (44-for-96) and Burns (46-for-110) their top two options.Returning to the Final Four after accomplishing that feat as a first-year franchise remains the top target for Geary's club."I'm excited about where we're at, but I'm more excited about where we are going because we can play so much better and still have a long way to go in terms of where we eventually want to be," Geary said.Pressed for more details, he responded by saying, "What has been the most pleasant revelation has been how this team has found a way to be very, very good defensively, and I think that we're playing defense at the right time. And for me, as the head coach, the most encouraging thing is defensively we're really doing some good things."To illustrate his point, Geary noted that in the team's last 16 quarters, or four games, including the Sendai series, his team had only allowed 20 or more points in three quarters.In related news, the B-Corsairs have added big man Shawn Malloy, a University of New Orleans product, to their roster. The announcement was made on Wednesday.The 209-cm veteran played for the Iwate Big Bulls last season and averaged 10.5 rebounds (sixth-best total in the league) and 11.2 points per game.Upcoming games: Weekend action features Akita vs. Saitama, Niigata vs. Gunma, Chiba vs. Yokohama, Tokyo vs. Iwate, Shiga vs. Takamatsu, Osaka vs. Kyoto, Miyazaki vs. Fukuoka, Shimane vs. Oita and Ryukyu vs. Hamamatsu.Sendai and Shinshu, meanwhile, will renew their rivalry in a series that tips off on Christmas Eve.Around the league: The Golden Kings (15-3) have lost three straight games. Star forward Anthony McHenry (knee) did not play last weekend, giving his body a chance to rest. . . . The blockbuster Golden Kings-Phoenix matchup this weekend features the teams that have captured the past four league titles. This series marks their first regular-season meeting as Western Conference rivals. Hamamatsu, winners of seven straight, left the Eastern Conference after finishing runnerup to Ryukyu in May's championship match at Ariake Colosseum. . . .Gunma opened the season with 12 straight defeats, but has climbed out of the cellar with four wins in its past eight games. Credit coach Ryan Blackwell, who was left to pick up the pieces after original bench boss Tadashi Hayashi, 0-8 in his brief stint in charge, was shown the door in early November following the team's disastrous start. Floor leader Jermaine Dixon has played an instrumental role in giving the team a better grasp of how to compete in this league. The same can be said for guards Shingo Okada and Kenya Tomori, who, along with Dixon, previously starred for the Phoenix, including on last season's championship runnerup team.Weekly accolade: Shimane center Jeral Davis, a 216-cm Talladega State (Alabama) product, had a major influence on the Susanoo Magic's back-to-back wins over Ryukyu last weekend in Okinawa.Davis, the Lawson/Ponta Weekly MVP, blocked 12 shots in the series, including eight on Saturday. He also had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the series opener. A day later, Davis scored 20 points, grabbed eight boards and handed out three assists. He is the league's top shot blocker (3.6 per game) and is on pace to finish atop that category for the third straight season.On Tuesday, Shimane coach Zeljko Pavlicevic wrote in an email that he's very pleased with the combined efforts of Davis and Parker in leading the team to a pair of big victories and their role as tone-setters for the squad.New addition: The Saitama Broncos announced the signing of veteran post player Wayne Oliver on Tuesday.The 201-cm Oliver, 31, attended Cameron University in Oklahoma before embarking on a career that has included stops in the IBL, ABA, Syria, China and Mexico.Struggling Akita: The Northern Happinets have dropped six of their last 10 games. They were 7-1 to begin the season, and are now 11-7 and in sixth place — the final playoff spot — in the East, after being in first place a few weeks ago.Akita brought in 199-cm forward Marshall Brown this week, the latest acquisition by Kazuo Nakamura's team, which employs a revolving-door policy for import players more so than any other club in the 21-team circuit.Brown, a Missouri product, began the season with Miyazaki.The 27-year-old played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA Development League last season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 41 games (12 starts).Got a story idea about the bj-league? Send an email to edward.odeven@japantimes.co.jpRoethlisberger sorry for speaking out
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger doesn't think he and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley need to be best friends to coexist.The quarterback, however, also knows he can't start calling Haley out when things don't go as planned, no matter how bothered the Steelers captain may get by the play-calling.It's why Roethlisberger apologized to Haley, coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II after making pointed remarks about the direction of the offense following a 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas on Sunday."I let my frustrations jump out after a game, I don't usually do that," Roethlisberger said. "Usually, I keep it under control. I was just frustrated with myself and I'll be better at that."Roethlisberger completed 24 of 40 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas but also threw a critical interception on the second play of overtime that set up the game-winning field goal. Afterward he expressed disappointment in Haley's decision to stay away from the "no-huddle" offense. And he wondered why Haley didn't feature tight end Heath Miller, who had six receptions for 85 yards in the first half and just one catch for seven yards in the second.Looking back, Roethlisberger — who took full responsibility for the loss — figures he probably should have just kept quiet."We do have a lot of talks behind closed doors about things, about plays, play-calling," he said. "If I'm doing something that's not right on the field, we have talks about everything."FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey — It all began as an intriguing idea, the thought of Tim Tebow running around as an exciting spark for the New York Jets' offense.Then it all fizzled — before it really even started.Rex Ryan acknowledged Wednesday that he had higher expectations for the seldom-used Tebow in the Jets' wildcat-style offense. And, so did the NFL's most popular and maligned backup quarterback."For some reason, it hasn't panned out to my expectations and maybe Tim's, either," Ryan said. "Defenses have attacked us a little differently. Maybe that's a contributing factor to it."Ryan would not go into detail about why he chose Greg McElroy over Tebow to replace the struggling Mark Sanchez as the team's starting quarterback with two games left in a lost season. He reiterated his comments from Tuesday that it was his decision — and his alone — saying it was a "gut" call.It was one that, predictably, didn't sit well with Tebow."Obviously, I'm a little disappointed," he said. "You try to handle it the best you can."Tebow paused for a second when asked if he felt passed over by Ryan choosing McElroy instead of him."All you can ask for and all you want is a chance," he said. "A chance to go out there and play the game you love, and help this team win football games."
Giants sign reliever Acosta to one-year deal
The Yomiuri Giants have acquired 31-year-old reliever Manny Acosta on a one-year, ?100 million contract, the Central League club said Thursday.The 193-cm, 98-kg right-hander went 1-3 with one save and a 6.46 ERA in 45 games for the New York Mets last season, also pitching 17 games in the minors. The native of Panama is 13-13 for his career with nine saves and a 3.99 ERA.The Giants had the best bullpen in Japan last season as they went on to win the CL pennant and the Japan Series. Yomiuri's relievers went 24-8 with 48 saves and 106 holds and a 1.80 ERA.
Arsenal signs five to new contracts
LONDON — Arsenal has secured the futures of five key players, with Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, and Carl Jenkinson signing new deals.Arsenal has lost a string of top talent in recent years, including Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas.But Wednesday's announcement of new long-term contracts for five players comes after Arsenal rose to fifth in the English Premier League by beating Reading 5-2 on Monday following its worst start to a season since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996."We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts," Wenger said. "The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the club."Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group — but the other four players are exceptional footballers, and we're very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time."
Ichiro agrees to new contract with Yankees
NEW YORK — The Yankees and Ichiro Suzuki finalized a $13 million, two-year contract Wednesday that keeps the 10-time All-Star in the Bronx.
Stay awhile longer: Ichiro Suzuki has finalized a two-year, $13 million deal with the Yankees after reviving his career in New York last season following a trade with Seattle. APThe 39-year-old, who will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, was obtained in a trade with Seattle on July 23, revived his career and quickly became a fan favorite.His batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals."The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Ichiro said in a statement released by the team. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization."A 10-time Gold Glove outfielder with speed and a strong arm, Ichiro has 2,606 hits in 12 major league seasons. He figures to see corner outfield time, with the Yankees allowing right fielder Nick Swisher to become a free agent."I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations," he said.New York opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Jim Miller for assignment. Ichiro raises the Yankees' payroll next year to $182 million for 13 players with agreements.SEATTLE — The Los Angeles Angels got the pitching depth they wanted. The Seattle Mariners got the power bat they so desperately needed.Two foes in the AL West found a way to work together Wednesday when the Angels traded switch-hitting slugger Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Jason Vargas, filling needs for both teams.The 29-year-old Morales became expendable after the Angels agreed to a deal last week with free agent slugger Josh Hamilton. The Angels had been looking for a pitcher after losing Zack Greinke and Dan Haren to free agency and trading Ervin Santana.The Angels added a left-hander to their rotation, while Seattle got a hitter that can instantly take a spot in the middle of its order."We were going to try and come up with some type of offense and I think this worked out in a positive way," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Both players are at the end of their contracts."Getting Vargas reunites the lefty with his former Long Beach State teammate Jered Weaver at the top of the Angels' rotation. The duo played college ball together in 2004 and now will be counted on in helping make the big money the Angels spent on Hamilton and Albert Pujols last season pay off."I'm back home in California now," Vargas said. "It's perfect."Vargas grew up in Southern California where his father coached high school baseball. He used to watch his second cousin, infielder Randy Velarde, play for the Angels in the late 1990s.
Stay awhile longer: Ichiro Suzuki has finalized a two-year, $13 million deal with the Yankees after reviving his career in New York last season following a trade with Seattle. APThe 39-year-old, who will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, was obtained in a trade with Seattle on July 23, revived his career and quickly became a fan favorite.His batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals."The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of," Ichiro said in a statement released by the team. "Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization."A 10-time Gold Glove outfielder with speed and a strong arm, Ichiro has 2,606 hits in 12 major league seasons. He figures to see corner outfield time, with the Yankees allowing right fielder Nick Swisher to become a free agent."I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations," he said.New York opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Jim Miller for assignment. Ichiro raises the Yankees' payroll next year to $182 million for 13 players with agreements.SEATTLE — The Los Angeles Angels got the pitching depth they wanted. The Seattle Mariners got the power bat they so desperately needed.Two foes in the AL West found a way to work together Wednesday when the Angels traded switch-hitting slugger Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Jason Vargas, filling needs for both teams.The 29-year-old Morales became expendable after the Angels agreed to a deal last week with free agent slugger Josh Hamilton. The Angels had been looking for a pitcher after losing Zack Greinke and Dan Haren to free agency and trading Ervin Santana.The Angels added a left-hander to their rotation, while Seattle got a hitter that can instantly take a spot in the middle of its order."We were going to try and come up with some type of offense and I think this worked out in a positive way," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "Both players are at the end of their contracts."Getting Vargas reunites the lefty with his former Long Beach State teammate Jered Weaver at the top of the Angels' rotation. The duo played college ball together in 2004 and now will be counted on in helping make the big money the Angels spent on Hamilton and Albert Pujols last season pay off."I'm back home in California now," Vargas said. "It's perfect."Vargas grew up in Southern California where his father coached high school baseball. He used to watch his second cousin, infielder Randy Velarde, play for the Angels in the late 1990s.Thursday, December 20, 2012
Court quashes Hillsborough verdict
LONDON — After nearly a quarter of a century, the families of the victims of Britain's worst sports disaster are closer than ever in their campaign for the truth.Britain's High Court and the government delivered twin decisions Wednesday that marked significant milestones in the relatives' search for justice over the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death.A new criminal investigation was ordered by the home secretary, and about an hour later, Britain's top judge overturned the original ruling that the 96 deaths at the F.A. Cup semifinal match were accidental."I'd like a corporate manslaughter verdict in the inquest — it's the least for what they have done," said Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son, Kevin, died at Hillsborough.Williams was in a wheelchair inside the court on Wednesday, weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Now she has renewed hope that she will live to see the full truth about her son's death established in court."I am glad we never gave up. It has been hard," Williams said. "God willing, I will be here, it has been a long wait to see justice."
Players' union waiting on NHL
TORONTO — Donald Fehr and the players' association are ready to get back to the bargaining table at any moment. They are now just waiting for the NHL to feel the same way."(We aren't talking) because the owners have not indicated a desire to resume," the NHLPA's executive director said Wednesday night before a charity hockey game. "We've indicated any number of times that we're willing to resume when they are (and) we're willing to resume without preconditions."So we're waiting to hear back from them."The sides haven't negotiated with one another since Dec. 6 in New York, when talks broke down. They also met with a U.S. federal mediator for two days in New Jersey last week and reported no progress. Since then, there has been only limited contact between the sides, including a brief email exchange on Wednesday."I don't think either party is refusing a meeting," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email. "But unless there is an indication one side or the other is prepared to move or has a new idea to move the process forward — and so far neither side has indicated — I am not sure what we would do at the meeting."
Wilkinson mulling future prospects
PARIS — Former England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson will decide on his career future in February, saying he will continue playing only if he feels it will benefit his club.The 33-year-old retired from international rugby after last year's World Cup having won 91 caps for England and the British and Irish Lions. He has helped Toulon to first place in France's Top 14 this season. His contract expires at the end of the season."I'm capable of carrying on, but it's a delicate balance," Wilkinson said in an interview on Wednesday with sports daily L'Equipe. "The question isn't what I would like to do, but what is best for my team. After I've asked myself that question, then I'll think about myself."Wilkinson is confident Toulon can win the Heineken Cup this season."Can we do the double? I say, yes," Wilkinson said. "I'm never satisfied, but I'm happy with how we've played. We're heading in the right direction."
Barcelona coach Vilanova to have surgery after cancer relapse
BARCELONA, Spain — For the second time in two years, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova is stepping aside from soccer to take care of his health.Barcelona said Vilanova was to have surgery on Thursday and undergo several weeks of chemotherapy after doctors discovered a recurrence of a throat ailment, the club said Wednesday.The 44-year-old coach underwent an operation to remove a tumor from the saliva gland in November 2011 when he was Pep Guardiola's assistant.Vilanova will likely spend four days in a hospital before undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for about six weeks, the club said.The statement said Vilanova could be able to remain in charge of the team while undergoing treatment."During this time, depending on his evolution, Vilanova may be able to combine treatment with his work regime," the club said.Assistant coach Jordi Roura is expected to take over the team in the meantime. Barcelona plays Valladolid in the Spanish League on Saturday.Vilanova took over as Barcelona's team coach from Guardiola last summer after passing medical checks.Wednesday's announcement came one day after the club solidified its future with all-time top scorer Lionel Messi, playmaker Xavi Hernandez and team captain Carles Puyol all signing multiyear contract extensions.Under Vilanova's guidance, Barcelona has made its best-ever start to a season, winning a Spanish record of 15 of its first 16 league games. The club leads the standings with 46 points, nine ahead of Atletico Madrid and 13 in front of archrival Real Madrid.Vilanova's son, Adria, used his Twitter account to give thanks for the support being offered his father."Thank you all for your support, you are truly great, everything is going to work out," he tweeted.Earlier Wednesday, Barcelona canceled meetings with the club president and journalists after reports of Vilanova's illness emerged. Several hours later, the club issued the statement confirming the medical situation."Very sorry to hear the news," Xavi said on Twitter.LEEDS, England — Chelsea scored five goals in a masterful second-half display to beat old rival Leeds 5-1 on Wednesday, setting up a meeting with Swansea in the semifinals of the League Cup.A shock was on when Leeds went in at halftime 1-0 up thanks to Luciano Becchio's 37th-minute goal at a rain-soaked Elland Road.However, Chelsea was clinical after the break, equalizing through Spain playmaker Juan Mata in the 47th before adding four more goals in a ruthless 19-minute spell. Branislav Ivanovic, Victor Moses, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres were the scorers for the European champions, who have won the League Cup four times — most recently in 2007."We had a word with ourselves at halftime and the early goal gave us an impetus to go on and win it," Chelsea captain Frank Lampard said.By moving into the last four, where it is also joined by Aston Villa and fourth-tier Bradford, Chelsea went some way to making up for the frustration of losing the Club World Cup final to Corinthians 1-0 on Sunday.
Williams still expected in Brisbane
BRISBANE, Australia — Brisbane International organizers say Serena Williams still plans to compete at the Dec. 30-to-Jan. 5 tournament despite minor surgery on her big toes which forced her to withdraw from a Dec. 29 exhibition in Thailand.Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said Thursday he had been assured by Williams' agent that the WTA player of the year will "be fit and ready" for the event at the Queensland Tennis Centre.Williams has been affected by chronic foot problems since treading on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.The five-time Australian Open winner played at last year's Brisbane International but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarterfinals. Later in the year, she won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and gold in women's singles at the London Olympics.
Giants' Cruz recounts visit to slain boy's family
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — For much of his hourlong visit with the family of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Connecticut school shootings, Victor Cruz talked about football, life and young Jack, the child who idolized him.Tears were shed. Feelings were shared. Cleats and gloves worn by Cruz to honor Jack Pinto at Sunday's game against Atlanta were given to his family.The New York Giants wide receiver somberly recounted Wednesday his meeting with Pinto's parents and brother in Newtown, Connecticut.He struggled in his retelling only when asked about the family's decision to bury the child in the receiver's No. 80 Giants jersey. The father of an infant girl, Cruz stopped for a moment, and his eyes became watery."You never go through some circumstances like this and circumstances where a kid faces or a family faces something of this magnitude at their school," Cruz said. "This definitely was the toughest by far."Jack Pinto was buried on Monday and Cruz telephoned the family to ask whether he could visit them Tuesday.The family disclosed after Friday's massacre that Cruz was Jack's favorite player. The boy was one of 20 first-graders and six adults killed in the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.Cruz drove to Newtown with his girlfriend, Elaina Watley, and their daughter, Kennedy."I had no expectations. I was a little nervous," Cruz said. "I just didn't know how I was going to be received. You never know when they are going through something like that. You never know how it is going to go down."Seeing the family outside the home along with some local children made Cruz feel better."They were still pretty emotional, crying and stuff like that," Cruz said. "I saw how affected they were by just my presence alone. I got out and gave them the cleats and the gloves and they appreciated it. The older brother (Ben) was still emotional, so I gave them to him."Cruz had written "Jack Pinto, My Hero" and "R.I.P. Jack Pinto" on his cleats before the Giants' loss to the Falcons Sunday in Atlanta."I didn't want to go in there and make a speech," Cruz said. "I just wanted to go and spend some time with them and be someone they could talk to, and be someone they can vent to, talk about how much of fans they are of the team, or different times they watched the Super Bowl."
Knicks ease to victory over local rival Nets
NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks know they can't entirely dismiss the rivalry talk, not with the Nets just a few miles away.
Hardwood showdown: Brooklyn's Kris Humphries (43) and New York's Ronnie Brewer (11) fight for a loose ball during the Knicks' 100-86 win on Wednesday. APOn the court and in the standings, the distance keeps growing.Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup, and New York beat Brooklyn 100-86 on Wednesday night in the third meeting this season between the city rivals.After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game."At the end of the day, these are statement games, these are big games, divisional games," Anthony said. "They're right across the bridge, so these games definitely mean a lot."J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Jeremy Lin and Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG.Chandler scored 12 on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half."I just wanted to close the game. I wanted to make a statement," Chandler said. "Tonight was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes, and we have to make statements like that."Joe Johnson scored 17 points for Brooklyn, which has lost three straight and eight of 10. What once was a deadlock for the Atlantic Division lead after the first meeting is now a six-game advantage for the Knicks."We have a lot of season left. We'll get it turned around," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "We're going to get back in the lab on Friday and work on some parts of our game and get this bad taste out."Deron Williams and Brook Lopez each had 16 points for Brooklyn.The Nets won 96-89 in overtime on Nov. 26 in the rescheduled season opener that was postponed after Superstorm Sandy, and the Knicks pulled out a 100-97 victory Dec. 11 behind Anthony's 45 points and Jason Kidd's tiebreaking 3-pointer with 24 seconds left.This one was only close for a half with the Knicks outscoring the Nets 48-38 in the final 24 minutes."Once they started hitting the way they did, it's kind of deflating," Williams said. "It takes you away from your game. You try to get it all back at once instead of being patient and executing like we did in the first half."Thunder 100, Hawks 92In Atlanta, Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as Oklahoma City held off the Hawks for its 12th straight win.Celtics 103, Cavaliers 91In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half, hitting 10 of his 11 shots after halftime.Grizzlies 90, Bucks 80In Memphis, Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Marc Gasol had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies over Milwaukee.Pacers 104, Jazz 84In Indianapolis, reserve guard Gerald Green scored a season-high 21 points, and Paul George had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana beat Utah.Rockets 125, 76ers 103In Houston, James Harden had 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a victory over Philadelphia.Suns 121, Bobcats 104In Phoenix, Shannon Brown scored a season-high 26 points and the Suns hit a season-high 17 3-pointers to send Charlotte to its league-worst 13th straight loss.Raptors 97, Pistons 91In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, Alan Anderson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Raptors beat Detroit to extend their winning streak to four games.Magic 90, Wizards 83In Orlando, J.J. Redick scored 17 points and fellow reserve E'Twaun Moore had 15 to lead the Magic to a win over Washington.Clippers 93, Hornets 77In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin scored 18 points and the Clippers beat New Orleans for their franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory.Kings 131, Warriors 127In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points, Aaron Brooks added 23 and the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Golden State.
Hardwood showdown: Brooklyn's Kris Humphries (43) and New York's Ronnie Brewer (11) fight for a loose ball during the Knicks' 100-86 win on Wednesday. APOn the court and in the standings, the distance keeps growing.Anthony scored 31 points in his return to the lineup, and New York beat Brooklyn 100-86 on Wednesday night in the third meeting this season between the city rivals.After two tight games in Brooklyn, the Knicks turned the first one at Madison Square Garden into a rout by dominating the second half. Anthony, who missed two games with a sprained left ankle, moved fine and shot well, though his scoring average against the Nets this season actually dropped to 37 points per game."At the end of the day, these are statement games, these are big games, divisional games," Anthony said. "They're right across the bridge, so these games definitely mean a lot."J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Jeremy Lin and Houston, improving to 11-1 at MSG.Chandler scored 12 on 6-of-8 shooting in the second half."I just wanted to close the game. I wanted to make a statement," Chandler said. "Tonight was a big game for us, a game in our division, an opportunity to gain a full game as far as the lead goes, and we have to make statements like that."Joe Johnson scored 17 points for Brooklyn, which has lost three straight and eight of 10. What once was a deadlock for the Atlantic Division lead after the first meeting is now a six-game advantage for the Knicks."We have a lot of season left. We'll get it turned around," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "We're going to get back in the lab on Friday and work on some parts of our game and get this bad taste out."Deron Williams and Brook Lopez each had 16 points for Brooklyn.The Nets won 96-89 in overtime on Nov. 26 in the rescheduled season opener that was postponed after Superstorm Sandy, and the Knicks pulled out a 100-97 victory Dec. 11 behind Anthony's 45 points and Jason Kidd's tiebreaking 3-pointer with 24 seconds left.This one was only close for a half with the Knicks outscoring the Nets 48-38 in the final 24 minutes."Once they started hitting the way they did, it's kind of deflating," Williams said. "It takes you away from your game. You try to get it all back at once instead of being patient and executing like we did in the first half."Thunder 100, Hawks 92In Atlanta, Kevin Durant set a season high with 41 points and had 13 rebounds as Oklahoma City held off the Hawks for its 12th straight win.Celtics 103, Cavaliers 91In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half, hitting 10 of his 11 shots after halftime.Grizzlies 90, Bucks 80In Memphis, Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Marc Gasol had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies over Milwaukee.Pacers 104, Jazz 84In Indianapolis, reserve guard Gerald Green scored a season-high 21 points, and Paul George had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana beat Utah.Rockets 125, 76ers 103In Houston, James Harden had 33 points and seven assists to lead the Rockets to a victory over Philadelphia.Suns 121, Bobcats 104In Phoenix, Shannon Brown scored a season-high 26 points and the Suns hit a season-high 17 3-pointers to send Charlotte to its league-worst 13th straight loss.Raptors 97, Pistons 91In Toronto, DeMar DeRozan had 23 points, Alan Anderson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Raptors beat Detroit to extend their winning streak to four games.Magic 90, Wizards 83In Orlando, J.J. Redick scored 17 points and fellow reserve E'Twaun Moore had 15 to lead the Magic to a win over Washington.Clippers 93, Hornets 77In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin scored 18 points and the Clippers beat New Orleans for their franchise record-tying 11th consecutive victory.Kings 131, Warriors 127In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points, Aaron Brooks added 23 and the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Golden State.Sunday, December 9, 2012
Anderson set for spell on sidelines
Manchester United midfielder Anderson has been ruled out for at least three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in last weekend's win over Reading.Anderson scored United's first goal in their 4-3 victory at the Madejski Stadium, but the Brazilian was then forced off at halftime and missed Wednesday's Champions League defeat against CFR Cluj.United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that the former Porto star won't be back in action before Christmas, ruling him out of the Premier League leaders' derby clash at Manchester City on Sunday and the following matches against Sunderland, Swansea and Newcastle."It is a hamstring," Ferguson told MUTV. "It will be three or four weeks. It is not serious but it is a hamstring."
Sanfrecce target Club World Cup final
TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. — Sanfrecce Hiroshima hope to go where no J. League or Asian team has gone before — the Club World Cup final.Not even their big-budgeted predecessors Urawa Reds (2007), Gamba Osaka (2008) and Kashiwa Reysol (2011) were able to reach the final, but Hiroshima believes it has every chance of making it to Nissan Stadium on Dec. 16 once it beats Egypt's Al-Ahly in Sunday's quarterfinal."Urawa, Gamba and Kashiwa all made it to the semifinals," Sanfrecce captain Hisato Sato said. "If we beat Al-Ahly, we give ourselves an opportunity to top what they achieved."Sato and J. League champions Sanfrecce are coming off a 1-0 win over Auckland City in the opening match on Thursday.Hiroshima dominated for the most part against the amateurs from New Zealand, but J. League Player of the Year Sato is expecting a completely different proposition from African champions Al-Ahly at Toyota Stadium."We were able to win our first match on the world stage, but Al-Ahly and Corinthians — who we could later face — will be on an entirely different level from Auckland City," Sato said."We made some minor errors in the Auckland game which we'll have to avoid if we want to stand a chance against Al-Ahly. Looking back on the last game, I thought Auckland paid us too much respect."I can't see that happening with Al-Ahly, who are African champions. I expect us to see less time on the ball in our next game."Victory over Al-Ahly would pit Hajime Moriyasu's men versus Corinthians, the inaugural Club World Cup champions, in the last four. A win against the Sao Paulo side would take Hiroshima to the final, where it will likely meet European champions Chelsea.Chelsea will play either Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai or Monterrey of Mexico — who also clash Sunday — in Thursday's semifinal at Yokohama.Al-Ahly will make its fourth Club World Cup appearance after winning the African Champions League on the heels of a cancelled Egyptian season due to the Port Said Stadium disaster in which 72 fans were killed.Moriyasu admitted Al-Ahly remains something of a mystery to him, but was confident his troops would come through, just as they did on Thursday."We don't have a great deal of information on our next opponents because there's only so much film available on them," first-year coach Moriyasu said."It will come down to how well we can execute, knowing little about the other team. But the boys held their nerves and played well enough to win it, which was the most important thing. I expect us to build on the performance next time out."
Terry ruled out of Club World Cup
LONDON — Chelsea captain John Terry has been ruled out of the Club World Cup because of an ongoing knee injury.The defender damaged ligaments in his right knee a month ago, and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says the long flight to Japan wouldn't help his recovery."The inflammation during the flight will not be the best thing for him so he will not travel," Benitez said. "He wanted to go and to help, but it's better that he stays here."We don't know when he will play. We have to wait and see how he reacts."Chelsea's first game at the Club World Cup is the semifinal match Thursday against either Ulsan Hyundai or Monterrey in Yokohama.
Cribbs opposes no-kickoff proposal
BEREA, Ohio — Kickoffs have defined Josh Cribbs' career in the NFL, and made him an invaluable weapon for the Cleveland Browns.So the thought of the league abolishing the exciting play irritates the return specialist."They need to call it a different league if they do that," Cribbs said. "It'll change the game drastically."Earlier this week, commissioner Roger Goodell said the league's competition committee will consider eliminating kickoffs in the offseason. In an effort to reduce head injuries and protect players, the league previously moved the kickoff from the 30 to 35-yard line to cut down on violent collisions.
Jays set to honor slugger Delgado
TORONTO — The Blue Jays plan to honor former slugger Carlos Delgado next year by adding his name to the club's Level of Excellence.The franchise leader in home runs and RBIs will be the 10th person to be so honored by the Jays, who are planning a pregame ceremony for July 21."Not only was he one of the best hitters in club history, he was one of the finest first basemen of his generation," team president Paul Beeston said Friday in a statement. "More importantly, Carlos was a tremendous ambassador for the Blue Jays organization and the city of Toronto."
Maze claims super-combi
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland — Tina Maze of Slovenia won her third race of the season by finishing first in both runs of a World Cup super-combined event Friday, while Lindsey Vonn failed to finish.Vonn was fourth in the super-G but lost control of a ski during an early turn in her slalom run and failed to finish.Maze extended her lead in the overall standings by finishing in an aggregate time of 2 minutes, 1.76 seconds after the super-G and slalom. She defeated Nicole Hosp of Austria by 0.88, while Kathrin Zettel of Austria was 1.08 behind in third.Julia Mancuso of the United States was fifth after the super-G, but slipped to 11th after posting the 23rd-fastest time in the slalom. World super-combined champion Anna Fenninger of Austria was seventh, 1.90 behind Maze.The Slovenian finished runnerup to overall champion Vonn last season without winning a race. She now leads the American by 187 points despite Vonn's three straight wins last week at Lake Louise, Alberta."I am so strong because I trained hard for the season," said Maze, who has 14 World Cup victories. "I put in a lot of hard work. That makes me full of confidence."Maze led by 0.01 after the super-G ahead of Lara Gut of Switzerland, who dropped to fifth following the slalom."It's a nice course, but the visibility wasn't great," said Maze, who has won races in every discipline except for super-G. "I am very satisfied, it feels good. I've had good super-G runs in the past, but it never worked out in the end."Maze tops the standings with 497 points. Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany, who missed out on the podium by 0.11 in fourth place, is second with 369. Next is Zettel with 320 and Vonn with 310.Hosp, the 2007 overall champion, was seventh after the super-G. She was fast enough in the slalom to earn her first podium finish since the race here last season."At ski racing, your mind plays an important role," said Hosp, who has not won a World Cup race since capturing a slalom in January 2008 at Maribor, Slovenia. "If you don't get the results it's hard to stay relaxed. I hope this race will help me for the rest of the winter."This was the first of only two super-combined events this season. They count for the overall standings, but no crystal globe will be awarded to the discipline champion.A regular super-G was to be held on the same course Saturday, followed by a giant slalom Sunday.VAL D'ISERE, France — Ted Ligety is an outspoken critic of skiing's governing body and has a penchant for his own self-designed day-glo goggles and helmets, but he has emerged as a real World Cup title contender.After a preseason rage against the International Ski Federation (FIS) over changes to skis the body claimed were made on safety grounds, Ligety has ironically emerged as the racer who has best adapted to the modifications.But that did not stop him having another go at the FIS on Friday ahead of a World Cup slalom on Saturday and a giant slalom 24 hours later."My argument against the ski changes was never about whether it would be good or bad for me," said the 28-year-old American, who has won the season's opening two giant slaloms by a staggering average of 2.25 seconds.It was about the fact that ski racers had zero way to talk about the changes."It's extremely wrong when you have a governing body coming out with rules and not even asking the athletes, and especially when it has to do with ski changes that are important to the fun and safety of the sport.""We were completely disregarded," he said, adding that the increased safety argument put forward by the FIS was not genuine, naming a handful of racers who have recently injured knees."The No. 1 reason for injuries is snow conditions and course preparation."Ligety's best finish in the overall World Cup standings was fifth in 2008 and the American insisted that increased consistency in the slalom and his improving super-G performances would be the backbone of his push to top the podium."My goal is to get back on to the slalom podium and to fight for podium positions," said Ligety, whose last slalom podium was a third place in Wengen in 2008."A big goal of mine is to win the overall title and I think the path to get there is being one of the best slalom skiers."
Sneed shines as Big Bulls run away from Broncos
TOKOROZAWA, Saitama Pref. — Center Dillion Sneed scored 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second half as the Iwate Big Bulls turned a close contest into a rout, beating the Saitama Broncos 111-94 on Saturday night at Tokorozawa Municipal Gymnasium.Iwate (12-5) snapped a three-game slide. Saitama (2-11) lost its fourth straight, and leading scorer John Humphrey remained on the bench with a back injury.Sneed's inside presence opened things up for Iwate on the perimeter as his teammates exploited gaps in the defense. Saitama had a poor second half on defensive rotations and reacting to what the visitors ran against them.The Broncos yielded 65 second-half points after trailing 46-43 at halftime.Saitama coach Tracy Williams said his team needs to be stronger mentally for the full 40 minutes."That's something we're still working on," Williams said.Lawrence Blackledge had 18 points, 16 rebounds and two steals, Kenichi Takahashi poured in 17 points, Reggie Okosa scored 14, Carlos Dixon added 11 with five assists for Iwate.Sneed was most impressive for Iwate, though, making 11 of 15 shots in 17-plus minutes."He was a Big Bull out there tonight," Williams said of Sneed.Yuki Kitamuki paced Saitama with 19 points and Nyika Williams had 16 points and 15 rebounds in his Broncos debut.Iwate was 37 of 63 from inside the arc and wore the Broncos down as the second half progressed, including a pivotal surge in the third to stretch the lead to 72-53.Elsewhere, the Ryukyu Golden Kings beat Rizing Fukuoka 97-79, the Chiba Jets edged the Gunma Crane Thunders 78-71, the Yokohama B-Corsairs downed the Akita Northern Happinets 87-74, the Shiga Lakestars ended the Kyoto Hannaryz's eight-game win streak, 69-67, and the Toyama Grouses handed the Shinshu Brave Warriors an 85-80 setback.Also Saturday, the Shimane Susanoo Magic beat the Osaka Evessa 86-78 and the Takamatsu Five Arrows won 81-65 over the Oita HeatDevils.
Mao, Takahashi show stuff at Grand Prix Final in Sochi
SOCHI, Russia — Former world champions Mao Asada and Daisuke Takahashi put Japan on course for a gold medal double as both took the lead after the women's and men's short programs at the Grand Prix Final in Russia on Friday.Mao, who has won two Grand Prix events this season — the Cup of China and the NHK Trophy — but has had her preparations hampered by back problems, scored 66.96 points to lead American Ashley Wagner, who scored 66.44."For the time being I am relieved," said Mao, whose routine to "I Got Rhythm" by George Gershwin was highlighted by a triple flip-double loop combination, a triple loop and three level-four spins."The short program has gone well in the two Grand Prix events (this season) so I was careful to make sure I was not just going around in circles.""I'm very glad that I performed all my jumps well. While preparing for the competition I tried to get rid of negative thoughts and skate the way I always do. The main goal for me is to focus on the upcoming free program and to tackle pre-skate jitters," said the 22-year-old.The program was designed to "invigorate everybody who sees it, including me," Mao said. "I'm always skating it with a smile on my face."Wagner opened with a big triple flip, followed in combination with a double toe loop. Like Mao, she didn't try a triple-triple combination, saying her execution of it has been sporadic."I prefer to go out on the ice and perform a program I'm 100 percent confident with," Wagner said. "It's almost better to skate a clean, lower-risk short program."Mao was only 0.07 points ahead of Wagner on technical elements and 0.45 on program components.Akiko Suzuki, the world bronze medalist, was third with 65.00."I landed all my jumps so I am pleased about that," said Suzuki. "I have made a lot of mistakes in the short program this season so I really tried to skate without fear."Kiira Korpi of Finland under-rotated the second half of her combination and ended in fourth. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia doubled her second triple, placing fifth, and Christina Gao of the United States fell on the opening jump of hers.In the men's competition, Takahashi, performing to "Rock n' Roll Medley," reeled off a quadruple toe loop, a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, a triple axel and three level-four spins.He achieved a season's best with 92.29 points and leads world champion Patrick Chan of Canada and compatriot Yuzuru Hanyu in a six-man field that features four Japanese skaters."It was the first time this season that I was able to do my quad in the short program, but after another jump I kind of stumbled. Nevertheless I finally landed the quad and am very happy about that," said Takahashi."For the past few days I haven't had the best conditions but I think the outcome is the product of my overall practice and I feel I've grown to do this," the 26-year-old said. "I don't want to lose to the younger guys, but I'm going to focus on my own performance. I don't want to make any mistakes tomorrow. I want to attract the audience's attention to my program and just do my best."Chan notched 89.27 and NHK Trophy winner Hanyu scored 87.17. Takahiko Kozuka was fourth with 86.39, Spain's Javier Fernandez had 80.19 for fifth and Tatsuki Machida was sixth with 70.58.Russia's Tatiana Voloszhar and Maxim Trankov lead after the short program in pairs, followed by compatriots Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov and Pang Qing and Jian Tong of China.Russia's Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smironov are in sixth.In ice dancing, Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States led after the short dance, nearly two points ahead of world champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada.The prestigious Grand Prix Final is doubling as a test event for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Eagles linked with swoop for star Jones
A number of former major leaguers have signed with Japanese teams this offseason, but they pale in comparison to the star the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles may have lured to Sendai.According to reports from Nikkan Sports, the Eagles have reached an agreement with veteran outfielder Andruw Jones on a one-year deal in the neighborhood of ?300 million. An announcement is expected soon, pending the results of a physical.In terms of star power, the 35-year-old Jones would represent the biggest signing by an NPB team in some while.Jones mostly made his name by making spectacular plays in the Atlanta Braves outfield, where he was a Gold Glove winner from 1998-2007. His 24.1 defensive wins above replacement (defensive WAR), according to Baseball Reference, is tied with Hall of Famer George Davis as the 19th best all-time.Jones is five-time All-Star with a career .254 batting average, 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs and a 59.5 WAR over 17 seasons with the Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.He posted the best season of his career in 2005, hitting .263 with a .922 on-base plus slugging percentage while leading the majors with 51 homers and 128 RBIs. He finished second in the National League MVP voting to the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols that season but was named the Major League Player of the Year by the Major League Baseball Players Association and won his only Silver Slugger Award.Jones found little success after leaving the Braves following the 2008 season, never managing a WAR above 1.7 at any of his stops after putting up a 58.4 in 12 seasons with the Braves.Jones heads to Japan on the heels of an unremarkable two-year stint with the Yankees, hitting .220 with 27 home runs and 67 RBIs in 171 games with the Bronx Bombers.The Eagles could use the Jones of old. Rakuten hit an NPB-low 52 home runs last season, with Kazuo Matsui and Akihisa Makida leading the way with nine each. Makida and the recently-released Jose Fernandez were the only two Eagles to drive in more than 50 runs.If all goes according to plan, Jones could take up residence somewhere in the middles of the Eagles' lineup.
EOC to vote on European Games
ROME — After years of debate, the European Games could be about to become a reality.The European Olympic Committees was set vote on the proposal Saturday, with Baku — the capital of Azerbaijan — the sole candidate to host the multisport event in June 2015.Other continents already have regional competitions, such as the Asian Games and Pan American Games. The biggest obstacle to a European Games has been the fact that two major sports — athletics and swimming — already have established continental competitions."We are the only continent without a games," EOC president Patrick Hickey said Friday. "So what are we doing that's different to anyone else? Why are people saying we shouldn't have it? There is a great interest in Europe to see European champions. So let's do it. Let's give it a go."
Granderson sharing passion for baseball on tour of Asia
Curtis Granderson doesn't have to be here. He's got money; he's got fame; he's been an MLB All-Star three times; and, well, he's a New York Yankee.
Class personified: Curtis Granderson, the center fielder for the New York Yankees, speaks to The Japan Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday in Tokyo. YOSHIAKI MIURASo he would have been forgiven for staying home, relaxing, and nursing the bumps and bruises one accrues over the course of a 162-game season (plus New York's nine playoff games).Except that Granderson is sitting on the edge of his seat, hands clasped neatly in his lap and dressed in a stylish suit, as he waits for his ride to Waseda University — where he'll participate in a panel discussion — in the lobby of a Tokyo hotel.Taking time out of his offseason, Granderson is in Japan as an MLB International Ambassador in order to promote and grow the game of baseball."It's great getting a chance to represent the game I've grown up playing and been making a career out of," Granderson said Thursday. "Obviously in places like Japan, where the game has a very rich tradition, the main focus is the promotion of it, not the growing of it."In other parts of the world it's the growing, like throughout Europe, South Africa, China and New Zealand. You can see these are countries where it's getting bigger."Granderson spent three days holding clinics and making appearances in Korea before arriving in Japan, so he's been too busy to be overly concerned with rumors that the Yankees have been entertaining the thought of trading him."Rumors are rumors," Granderson said. "Until it actually happens, we can't deal with it until that point comes. You'll mentally exhaust yourself worrying about the what ifs and the possibilities."ESPN's Buster Olney raised the possibility last week that the Yankees may attempt to move Granderson.The New York Daily News, in a story appearing on its website Tuesday, cited sources saying the team had been shopping Granderson around since November in a bid to slash payroll. The 31-year-old will be in the final year of his contract and slated to make $15 million in 2013."You can only control the things you can," he said. "Ever since my first full season up in 2006, I've always been on the trading block. There were rumors of me going to Atlanta back then; to the Cubs after that; to the Yankees, where I finally did end up. I'm sure this won't be the last time that I would be rumored to be in trades."Granderson's focus at the moment is his work with the MLB. He's scheduled to spend eight days in Japan making appearances and is excited about his first visit to the country."First thing is to just enjoy the culture," Granderson said. "Obviously I'm going to use the tour for myself to enjoy and experience (Japan)."Also when I'm talking to kids, there's a lot that I'm picking up. How they go about their training and their regimen to get themselves prepared, their mental states, their physical states, and comparing my body to theirs. I let them know that I'm not that much taller than them, I'm not much bigger than them, and they can get a chance to look up and say, 'Hey, he's doing it. He's not much bigger than me. I can do it.' "Granderson was scheduled to speak during the ceremony for the re-opening of Ishinomaki Municipal Baseball Stadium on Sunday, which was damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.He'll also hold a baseball clinic in the area then later conduct another for the Girls Professional Baseball League in Kyoto.He'll also visit Okinawa, making stops at Konan High School — which won the National High School Invitational Tournament in the spring of 2010 and the National High School Baseball Championship that summer to become the first school to win both since Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yokohama High School in 1998 — and Okinawa Shogakuin High School.Granderson will pass on some of his baseball knowledge, but above all wants the experience to be fun."Everything I'll talk about and do will always have a fun element to it," he said. "We're going to be competitive, we're going to laugh, we're going to joke around out there and enjoy that part of it. Because that's what the game is, it's fun."Something that might also be of interest as he tours Japan is the experience of playing with Ichiro Suzuki.The pair became teammates July 23, when Ichiro was traded to the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners — oddly enough while the Yankees were in Seattle to face the Mariners — offering Granderson a glimpse into the mind of the enigmatic Japanese star."The first thing I noticed was how detailed his pattern and routine was," Granderson said. "Once he gets to the stadium, he starts this, then he moves on to that. Then he eats, and then we go out to the field to practice. Then he goes back to this, and he gets ready to play.
Seeing the big picture: Curtis Granderson, who hit 43 home runs for the Yankees last season, has traveled the world as an MLB International Ambassador the past several years. AP"The one thing that I probably didn't expect was how loose and relaxed and funny he was. You never hear about that side, but it was amazing. He's a funny guy."Granderson is no stranger to the MLB International Ambassador system, having first served in 2006, when he visited England, Italy, and the Netherlands. He's also toured South Africa and was one of the first MLB players to help promote the game in China."I didn't know this title of ambassador was going to get put on me," Granderson says. "I was enjoying going to other parts of the world and promoting the game. I jumped at the opportunity. From 2006 to now, it was just, 'Let me know where you want me to go.' "He's done the same on the homefront through his Grand Kids Foundation, which was founded in 2007 with the purpose of "improving the educational experience for youth nationwide as well as helping to re-establish baseball opportunities for inner city youths."The fact he's gained so much through baseball makes it easy for Granderson to want to give back."It's opened a bunch of doors for me," he said of his life in baseball. "It's provided financial support for me to get my college degree and become one of 38 players in Major League Baseball with a degree. That in turn has given me the opportunity to promote education and baseball. To show the two can go hand-in-hand, as opposed to the myth that you have to focus on one."In certain parts of the world, education is No. 1, which it should be, but you can balance the two. I was an honor student both in high school and in college (Illinois-Chicago) and also was able to excel in baseball. That's given me the opportunity to meet great friends all over the world, travel all over the world, and just learn a lot about myself. Like the fact I can have things in my sights, actually accomplish them and then set the bar higher and higher."CHICAGO — After watching Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ichiro Suzuki, Kyuji Fujikawa determined he's ready for the major leagues."When I was still a student, I saw Nomo made it to the United States, and that was a big factor for me," Fujikawa said through a translator Friday after finalizing a $9.5 million, two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs."Also, Matsuzaka, who is the same age as I am, struggled a little bit, but his challenge really gave me the motivation to come over here, as well as Ichiro challenge to the major leagues, that motivated me to come over."The 32-year-old right-hander had 220 saves in 12 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers. He played for Japan at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.
Class personified: Curtis Granderson, the center fielder for the New York Yankees, speaks to The Japan Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday in Tokyo. YOSHIAKI MIURASo he would have been forgiven for staying home, relaxing, and nursing the bumps and bruises one accrues over the course of a 162-game season (plus New York's nine playoff games).Except that Granderson is sitting on the edge of his seat, hands clasped neatly in his lap and dressed in a stylish suit, as he waits for his ride to Waseda University — where he'll participate in a panel discussion — in the lobby of a Tokyo hotel.Taking time out of his offseason, Granderson is in Japan as an MLB International Ambassador in order to promote and grow the game of baseball."It's great getting a chance to represent the game I've grown up playing and been making a career out of," Granderson said Thursday. "Obviously in places like Japan, where the game has a very rich tradition, the main focus is the promotion of it, not the growing of it."In other parts of the world it's the growing, like throughout Europe, South Africa, China and New Zealand. You can see these are countries where it's getting bigger."Granderson spent three days holding clinics and making appearances in Korea before arriving in Japan, so he's been too busy to be overly concerned with rumors that the Yankees have been entertaining the thought of trading him."Rumors are rumors," Granderson said. "Until it actually happens, we can't deal with it until that point comes. You'll mentally exhaust yourself worrying about the what ifs and the possibilities."ESPN's Buster Olney raised the possibility last week that the Yankees may attempt to move Granderson.The New York Daily News, in a story appearing on its website Tuesday, cited sources saying the team had been shopping Granderson around since November in a bid to slash payroll. The 31-year-old will be in the final year of his contract and slated to make $15 million in 2013."You can only control the things you can," he said. "Ever since my first full season up in 2006, I've always been on the trading block. There were rumors of me going to Atlanta back then; to the Cubs after that; to the Yankees, where I finally did end up. I'm sure this won't be the last time that I would be rumored to be in trades."Granderson's focus at the moment is his work with the MLB. He's scheduled to spend eight days in Japan making appearances and is excited about his first visit to the country."First thing is to just enjoy the culture," Granderson said. "Obviously I'm going to use the tour for myself to enjoy and experience (Japan)."Also when I'm talking to kids, there's a lot that I'm picking up. How they go about their training and their regimen to get themselves prepared, their mental states, their physical states, and comparing my body to theirs. I let them know that I'm not that much taller than them, I'm not much bigger than them, and they can get a chance to look up and say, 'Hey, he's doing it. He's not much bigger than me. I can do it.' "Granderson was scheduled to speak during the ceremony for the re-opening of Ishinomaki Municipal Baseball Stadium on Sunday, which was damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.He'll also hold a baseball clinic in the area then later conduct another for the Girls Professional Baseball League in Kyoto.He'll also visit Okinawa, making stops at Konan High School — which won the National High School Invitational Tournament in the spring of 2010 and the National High School Baseball Championship that summer to become the first school to win both since Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yokohama High School in 1998 — and Okinawa Shogakuin High School.Granderson will pass on some of his baseball knowledge, but above all wants the experience to be fun."Everything I'll talk about and do will always have a fun element to it," he said. "We're going to be competitive, we're going to laugh, we're going to joke around out there and enjoy that part of it. Because that's what the game is, it's fun."Something that might also be of interest as he tours Japan is the experience of playing with Ichiro Suzuki.The pair became teammates July 23, when Ichiro was traded to the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners — oddly enough while the Yankees were in Seattle to face the Mariners — offering Granderson a glimpse into the mind of the enigmatic Japanese star."The first thing I noticed was how detailed his pattern and routine was," Granderson said. "Once he gets to the stadium, he starts this, then he moves on to that. Then he eats, and then we go out to the field to practice. Then he goes back to this, and he gets ready to play.Seeing the big picture: Curtis Granderson, who hit 43 home runs for the Yankees last season, has traveled the world as an MLB International Ambassador the past several years. AP"The one thing that I probably didn't expect was how loose and relaxed and funny he was. You never hear about that side, but it was amazing. He's a funny guy."Granderson is no stranger to the MLB International Ambassador system, having first served in 2006, when he visited England, Italy, and the Netherlands. He's also toured South Africa and was one of the first MLB players to help promote the game in China."I didn't know this title of ambassador was going to get put on me," Granderson says. "I was enjoying going to other parts of the world and promoting the game. I jumped at the opportunity. From 2006 to now, it was just, 'Let me know where you want me to go.' "He's done the same on the homefront through his Grand Kids Foundation, which was founded in 2007 with the purpose of "improving the educational experience for youth nationwide as well as helping to re-establish baseball opportunities for inner city youths."The fact he's gained so much through baseball makes it easy for Granderson to want to give back."It's opened a bunch of doors for me," he said of his life in baseball. "It's provided financial support for me to get my college degree and become one of 38 players in Major League Baseball with a degree. That in turn has given me the opportunity to promote education and baseball. To show the two can go hand-in-hand, as opposed to the myth that you have to focus on one."In certain parts of the world, education is No. 1, which it should be, but you can balance the two. I was an honor student both in high school and in college (Illinois-Chicago) and also was able to excel in baseball. That's given me the opportunity to meet great friends all over the world, travel all over the world, and just learn a lot about myself. Like the fact I can have things in my sights, actually accomplish them and then set the bar higher and higher."CHICAGO — After watching Hideo Nomo, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ichiro Suzuki, Kyuji Fujikawa determined he's ready for the major leagues."When I was still a student, I saw Nomo made it to the United States, and that was a big factor for me," Fujikawa said through a translator Friday after finalizing a $9.5 million, two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs."Also, Matsuzaka, who is the same age as I am, struggled a little bit, but his challenge really gave me the motivation to come over here, as well as Ichiro challenge to the major leagues, that motivated me to come over."The 32-year-old right-hander had 220 saves in 12 seasons with the Hanshin Tigers. He played for Japan at the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.Thunder survive late rally to score win over stuttering Lakers
OKLAHOMA CITY — In a reversal of roles, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers know they're the predators trying to track down Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder.They have some work to do.Durant had 36 points, Russell Westbrook scored 27 of his 33 in the first half to stake Oklahoma City to a commanding lead and the Thunder beat the short-handed Lakers 114-108 Friday night."They're a team that everybody likes. As a young team coming up, you always want to beat the best," Westbrook said. "I think that's one of the things that motivates us."Bryant had 35 points for Los Angeles, which trailed by as many as 19 before rallying to get within four in the final minute.Dwight Howard added 23 points and 18 rebounds for the Lakers, who were eliminated by the Thunder in five games in last season's Western Conference semifinals. Howard and Steve Nash were part of an offseason overhaul to try and catch up to the Thunder.Instead, the Lakers are 9-11 and focusing on small gains that give them the belief they'll eventually turn it around."It's 82 games. This team has just gotten together," Howard said. "It's not like we're going to get together and start winning right away. . . . We're learning how to play together. We're getting better. This is not on anybody's timetable but ours."Grizzlies 96, Hornets 89In New Orleans, Rudy Gay tied a season high with 28 points and the Grizzlies maintained their NBA-best winning percentage with their second-straight victory.76ers 95, Celtics 94 (OT)In Philadelphia, Evan Turner had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Thaddeus Young added 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sixers past Boston in overtime.Nuggets 92, Pacers 89In Indianapolis, Andre Miller scored eight of his 15 points during a late 10-0 spurt.Bulls 108, Pistons 104In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Joakim Noah had career highs of 30 points and 23 rebounds, to help Chicago beat Detroit for the 16th straight time.Spurs 114, Rockets 92In San Antonio, Tony Parker had 17 points and seven assists, and the Spurs never trailed in a win over Houston.Warriors 109, Nets 102In New York, David Lee had 30 points and 15 rebounds, Stephen Curry scored 28 points, and Golden State gave coach Mark Jackson a winning return to Brooklyn.Timberwolves 91, Cavaliers 73In Minneapolis, Kevin Love had 36 points and 13 rebounds to lead Minnesota past Cleveland.Luke Ridnour had 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Timberwolves, and Andrei Kirilenko had eight points, seven rebounds and six assists after missing the previous four games with back spasms.Hawks 104, Wizards 95In Atlanta, Josh Smith had 23 points and 15 rebounds, Al Horford also posted a double-double and the Hawks beat Washington to keep the Wizards winless on the road.Bucks 108, Bobcats 93In Milwaukee, Ersan Ilyasova scored a season-high 21 points and Marquis Daniels had season highs with 18 points and six rebounds.Jazz 131, Raptors 99In Salt Lake City, Paul Millsap scored 20 points, Enes Kanter had 18 in his first career start and Utah hit 13 3-pointers.Kings 91, Magic 82In Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins had 17 points and 14 rebounds and reserve guard Isaiah Thomas also scored 17.
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