IG JUPPS Österreich
Thema drucken
10.04.2019 03:16
|
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Jordan anticipates the Charlotte Hornets will make another big splash this off-season. Jordan said Monday with three draft picks and more than $13 million to spend in free agency the Hornets are in position to make a "big difference" in upgrading their roster. "I think we made a difference last year with Big Al (Jefferson) and some of the acquisitions -- and I dont anticipate this year being any different," Jordan said. Behind Jefferson, who was recently named third-team All-NBA, Charlotte made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 -- the year Jordan took over as majority owner. Jordan is hoping Jeffersons success will convince other big-name free agents to come to Charlotte. "I always thought Charlotte was a great destination," Jordan said. "Big Al has proven that you can come here and make a big difference. Hopefully we can look at that and attract some other superstars." Jordan spoke Monday following a presentation at Hornets Nest Elementary school in which he, along with Lowes and Fox SportsSouth, donated $250,000 to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The event marked the organizations first community service initiative since the changing its name from Bobcats to Hornets last month. The Hornets have the ninth, 24th and 45h picks in this months draft. If forward Josh McRoberts decides not to opt out of contract the Hornets will have all five starters from last season under contract -- and still have at least $13 million to spend under the NBA salary cap. If McRoberts opts out the team could have closer to $17 million free under the cap. "This year we have a lot of flexibility and Ive been speaking to that over the last three or four years -- flexibility is very important and we are going to use every resource to try to better the team," Jordan said. Charlotte finished last season 43-39 and earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Jefferson injured his foot in the first game of the NBA playoffs and Charlotte was swept by the Miami Heat. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for a franchise that went 28-120 over the two previous seasons, by far the worst record in the NBA during that span. Jordan said he was "very proud" of what his team accomplished under first-year coach Steve Clifford. "The guys came out and took the initiative from coach and he was able to bond (them) and put together a good effort from the team," Jordan said. Jordan said Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract last July 4 -- the largest ever given out by the franchise -- was better than advertised. But he said what was even more surprising is how quickly his new teammates adjusted to playing with a dominant low post presence. "Everybody surrounded him and we got better," Jordan said. "McRoberts was a huge part of that. So I think we got better as the year went along." Jordan said Jefferson, who was the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, deserved to be an All-Star. Jordan wouldnt say specifically what position the team might look to upgrade this off-season, instead saying he wants to find players who truly want to play in Charlotte. Another key, he said, is developing a core of young players including Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller. "We have a bunch of young talent that we still are trying to nourish into some better basketball players," Jordan said. "So summer is when we have to make our big leap." NFL Jerseys Cheap . - Titans quarterback Jake Locker will miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, leaving Tennessee trying to rally with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Cheap Youth NFL Jerseys . Hattestad managed to avoid the carnage midway through the mens final, as a crash took out three skiers, essentially leaving two men vying for gold. The Norwegian posted a time of 3:38.39, outlasting Swedens Teodor Peterson, who took silver with a time of 3:39. http://www.jerseyscheapsports.com/. Goergl, the 2011 world champion, started 28th after the other top contenders had already gone down but had the fastest time at each interval. Goergl finished the demanding 3-kilometre Kaelberloch course in 1 minute, 47. China Autographed Jerseys . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Wholesale Sports Jerseys . The third-ranked Lewis, a three-time winner this year on the LPGA Tour, had a 9-under 135 total at Emirates Golf Course in the Ladies European Tours season-ending tournament.PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -- Steven Lorentz snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period to lead the Peterborough Petes to a 5-2 win over the Oshawa Generals on Thursday in Ontario Hockey League. Peterborough (27-28-5) had a 2-0 lead in the second period before the Generals (39-17-5) tied the game with a pair of power-play goals from Hunter Smith. Greg Betzold opened the scoring for Peterborough in the first period, and Nelson Armstrong made it 2-0 with a power play goal in the second. Anthony Stefano added to the lead in the third period and Nick Ritchie added an empty netter. Andrew DAgostini made 25 saves for Peterborough, and Daniel Altshuller stopped 28 shots for Oshawa. --- STEELHEADS 3 ICEDOGS 1 ST CATHARINES, Ont. -- Bryson Cianfrone and Josh Burnside both scored and had an assist in the third period as Mississauga downed Niagara. Defenceman Jared Walsh had a power-play goal in the first period for the Steelheads (23-33-4), while Spencer Martin made 31 saves for the win. Jordan Maaletta was the lone scorer for the IceDogs (19-33-8) and Brent Moran stopped 25 shots.dddddddddddd --- STORM 5 BATTALION 3 NORTH BAY, Ont. -- Zack Mitchells goal at 12:53 of the third period was the eventual winner as Guelph held off a late charge by the Battalion. Stephen Pierog, Robby Fabbri, Jason Dickinson and Kerby Rychel rounded out the scoring for the Storm (46-10-3). Matthew Mancina made 34 saves. Barclay Goodrow and Connor Jarvis both scored in the last six minutes to bring North Bay (32-22-6) to within a goal. Vincent Praplan and Miles Liberati also scored for the Battalion, while Brendan ONeill turned aside 23 shots. --- SPITFIRES 4 COLTS 1 WINDSOR, Ont. -- Sam Povorozniouk and Ryan Foss both had power-play goals as the Spitfires flew past Barrie. Remy Giftopoulos and Ben Johnson also scored for Windsor (36-22-3), while Dalen Kuchmey made 27 saves for the win. Kevin Labanc had the only goal for the Colts (31-26-3) and Daniel Gibl stopped 14 shots. ' ' ' |
|
Antworten
