1. Nike Air Max Uptempo Canada . Lou Williams & Lucas Nogueira (Raptors): I like this deal by general manager Masai Ujiri. I have always been a fan of Williams, who fell out of favor in Atlanta. In the final year of his contract, the Raptors will be getting a player who can score in bunches off the bench and give his team a lift on many nights. He plays with energy and can run the point for a possession or two but is definitely more of a scoring two guard. Nogueira is a guy that is under contract overseas for another year, which is a good thing because there is no rush to bring him over and start his NBA Contractual Clock. The Raptors want to be getting him when hes more mature and prepared to give them a greater return on their yearly investment. I like the move, though. Hes a young man who can make things happen in the lane with his rebounding and shot blocking potential. His offence is a bit raw yet but in time he should be a sound pickup. John Salmons was a good pro, but as we could all see in the playoffs, hes clearly on the downside of his career. For Salmons, this is a nice trade particularly with the fact that Williams is off the books after this upcoming season. Helps you, yet doesnt damage your salary cap long term. 2. Jason Kidd (Bucks): How about this for a Machiavellian Move on the part of J-Kidd?! You literally cant make this nonsense up. He tries to back-door GM Billy King in Brooklyn and gets shown the door for two second-round picks. I guess you beat the Raptors in Round 1 and win one playoff game against the Heat and youre a genius with the NBAs Highest Payroll. No one else in the league would have given him the shot he got last year to coach and this is the appreciation. I feel bad for coach Larry Drew, he gets one year and then the door from his new owners. This is a tough business and theres very little honour and respect left anymore in the coaching profession, thats for sure in this case. 3. Derrick Rose (Bulls): Rose is catching a lot of flak for saying that its not his job to recruit Carmelo Anthony. He is correct; its ownership, management and the coaches jobs to do the work. When you evaluate what he said after that about Melos skills, its pretty evident to me that hes impressed with Melos game and how it would help the Bulls. In defence of him, Im sure if management asked him to publicly make comments about Melo or behind the scenes recruit him, hed assist them. Hes a team guy. On the other hand, maybe he just deep down in his heart knows that Melo wouldnt be a great fit in their system/team identity. Well all know in the next few days if this has any impact on Melos decision with Chicago. Usually guys with the ego the size of Melo want to be recruited by everyone involved. 4. Nets coach: Youll hear the names of Lionel Hollins, George Karl & Mark Jackson among many for this job, as their agents cash in favours with media members to float their clients names to increase their profile and possibilities. In a market like New York, with such a high profile and a small window of opportunity with this older team thats got the huge payroll, it actually makes lots of sense to consider each of these guys for the job. The Nets will need both a strong and capable personality/coach to handle this job. GM Billy King knows that and the fact that he was supported by ownership in the coup attempt doesnt mean hes not under tremendous pressure to win big right now. Kings has got to get the right guy and he better win lots of games next year or they might actually need a new GM next spring. I like Lionel Hollins for this job. 5. July 1: Here we go! Always a fun few days when free agency begins. The Big 3 and Melo set the tone and other movement will follow from a decent free agent class, when you look at the Top 10. Theres quite a drop off once you get past the Top 15 names. For Raptors fans, its very important to balance the desire to build on the 48 win season last year with the long term understanding that the Raptors as currently constructed (Even if Kyle Lowry, Patrick Patterson & Greivis Vasquez return) are still a ways away from being a legit contender to go to the NBA Finals out of the East. Particularly if the Big 3 stay in Miami, Chicago gets healthy and adds a guy like Melo and the Pacers improve and take a good look around. Other teams in the East added some pieces in the early part of the Draft that will make each win a little harder to get within the Conference. Remember back to Bryan Colangelos first season as GM with a 47 win season? You can win too early. As crazy as that sounds, its true. Truly be honest with your team and organization and always try to evaluate yourself vs. the top four and top eight in the East as well as the top four and top eight in the West this past season. How did you stand up vs. those teams and vs. the non-playoff teams? Obviously, a nice season in the NBA is when you beat who youre capable of beating and the Raps did that with some other fun wins sprinkled in along the way to make it a neat experience. Lots and lots of work still needs to be done for this team/organization to be a contender. Slow and steady wins the Race. Im quite confident in the patience and long-term view of Ujiri, that he wont get sucked in to believing that theyre close and try to build on a foundation that isnt there yet. Manage the cap properly, improve internally and be patient. The right defining move will present itself to you in the near future, youve got to be properly positioned when it shows up at your doorstep to be able to consummate the transaction. Yes, I love making the playoffs, but we all want more. So build with the idea of long term/organization vs. the 2014-15 team. You want to be in the playoffs on a yearly basis as well as - and this is what really matters - being a team with a legitimate chance to play in the Eastern Conference Finals & possibly get to the NBA Finals. Those are really hard steps to take. Obviously, if the Big Three break up, Melo goes to the Western Conference instead of the Bulls, etc. Then you reconsider that because you do have greater opportunity. But for now, big picture. It will be a fun few days to watch and follow. Nike Air Max Canada .C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons. Air Max 90 Canada Sale . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag. http://www.clearanceairmaxcanada.com/air-max-270-canada-sale/max-270-mens.html .com) - World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open titlist Roger Federer were among Mondays fourth-round winners at Melbourne Park.OTTAWA - Cody Cecis dream of playing for his hometown NHL team has been given new life. The defenceman was originally recalled by the Ottawa Senators out of necessity, but the 19-year-olds play through three games earned him the opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL. The Senators announced Tuesday that Cecis status had gone from an emergency recall to a regular recall and say they will carry eight defencemen for the foreseeable future. "Hes played with good poise," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "Its good to see in a young player that hes able to come in and play that way." The Ottawa native was the hometown hero Monday night, scoring the overtime winner in a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. "It was just a great feeling for everyone," Ceci said. "Im just happy getting the first one out of the way. It was a great night." Marc Methot, also from Ottawa, says hes been impressed with Cecis composure since he was recalled from the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League. "Hes handled himself so well," Methot said. "Were all real happy for him and hes a bright spot on this hockey club and in the future here." Ceci seems to have a knack for scoring big goals. His two goals with Binghamton this season were overtime winners and his first goal in the Ontario Hockey League was a game winner. But there is little doubt that his first in the NHL is most special. Being given the opportunity to stay in Ottawa is like an early birthday present for Ceci, who turns 20 on Saturday. "That was my goal coming here was that I wanted to make a good impression," Ceci said. "I was just trying to go out there and work my hardest and whatever happened, happened. From here on out I have to work hard to stay here." Ceci was paired with veteran Chris Phillips at Tuesdays practice. Phillips, a player Ceci grew up watching, says he has been impressed with the rookies game and has enjoyed playing with him. "Its good to see him step in and look like he certainly belongs," Phillips said. "Hes played weell. Cheap Nike Air Max Canada. Played with confidence and its a pleasure to watch." The Senators have had their share of struggles on the blue-line this season. Too often the defence has been guilty of poor decision-making, which has often resulted in bad goals. But like the rest of the team, it seems to be showing signs of improvement. "We were making mistakes that were costing goals and being strong in our own zone has to be our job first and foremost," Phillips said. "Were supposed to be the guys that are there if there are breakdowns and not the ones causing them. I think theres been a better awareness of that lately thats helped us out." As the teams veteran defenceman, Phillips has been asked to take on a greater leadership role with the younger blue-liners. "You try and say things here and there, but for the most part you want to go out and lead by example," Phillips said. "For me to raise my game and be more accountable makes it a lot easier for them to do that." Mondays win was one of the Senators better efforts of late, but MacLean says the real test is seeing whether or not his team can do it again. "Its another test for us in the same way that it has been all year long," MacLean said. "Do it once, but can you do it twice or more often than that now." The Senators have not won back-to-back games since November 5-9, when they won three straight. The Senators take on the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. The Devils have had their own share of problems trying to find consistency, going 3-4-0 so far through December. Methot has missed the last three games due to the flu, and while the defenceman feels hes ready to play there is a chance he could sit out Wednesdays game. "Sometimes when you win games if it aint broke dont fix it or dont change it," said MacLean. "Were going to give everyone every consideration to be in the lineup for (Tuesdays) game." Notes: D Erik Karlsson and RW Bobby Ryan were given maintenance days and both are expected to play Wednesday. Robin Lehner will get the start. ' ' '