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TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the return of Stephen Jackson, the play of Goran Dragic and the surprising Suns, the impact of Brook Lopez and Deron Williams with the Nets, Danny Grangers impending return in Indiana and the key to the Spurs success. 1. STEPHEN JACKSON (Clippers): He departed the Spurs last year under cloudy circumstances yet, in the right situation in certain seasons, he has proven to be both a valuable and very productive/winning player. In my book, worth the risk. With JJ Redick out of the lineup right now, you need offensive firepower and shooting and if hes right, he can bring both. Hes played on good teams and made those teams better. Most importantly, you need a leader/coach that he respects and will hold him accountable. Doc Rivers is that guy. If Jackson wants back in the NBA, hes got the chance now yet hell be expected to do it right and this environment is a good returning spot for him. 2. GORAN DRAGIC (Suns): Did you check out his performance vs. the Lakers Tuesday night? 31 pts and five assists. He ate them up; they couldnt guard him. Hes a crafty guy who is very adept at changing speeds and turning the corner and getting into the lane on you and does a wonderful job keeping his dribble alive to make plays. High energy guy who is always fun to watch. The Suns are 12-9. If the season ended today, theyd be in the playoffs - in the West! No, not the East, the West! Amazing!! 3. BROOK LOPEZ and DERON WILLIAMS (Nets): Amazing what good players can do for you (combined for 49 points on 20-29 shooting vs. Boston). Jason Kidd looks a whole lot more capable when he has these two guys in his lineup. Also nice to have Paul Pierce back on the court. Bottom line, in the weak Atlantic Division/Eastern Conference, as bad as things have been for the Nets with injuries/drama/expectations, if they can get and stay healthy, theyll be a playoff team. And if the chemistry were to ever come around, they could be a pretty dangerous team to play against in an early-round series. 4. DANNY GRANGER (Pacers): Has only played in five games over the past two seasons for a team that has become one of the elite 3-5 teams in the NBA. Hoping to return this weekend. Hes always been a lead actor in Indy. Paul George is that guy now. Can his ego stay in check and is he willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to help his team in whatever role his coaches devise for him? He can be a huge plus for them if hes willing to do what it takes. Obviously, sitting on the bench and watching his team be one of the best in the league has to humble you a bit yet make you hungry to get out there and do what it takes to be that finishing piece to help your team win a title. His presence on the floor will define how the Pacers chemistry evolves from here. If hes right mentally, they can become really dangerous on every level as a title contender. His scoring ability will make their depth even more of a strength. 5. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: An amazing series of facts about this team were pointed out to me by a few folks Tuesday night. Yes, we all know they have a Hall of Famer/franchise #1 pick in Tim Duncan. Some of the other pieces on the floor in Toronto Tuesday night vs. the Raptors include six second round picks, an undrafted player, a 30th Pick and two 28th picks. Remember what I said a few weeks back about the draft pedigree of the Indiana Pacers, sure you need a really good player but beyond that you MUST have GREAT leadership in the coaching area and the scouting/player evaluation and projection component. Its no secret that the Spurs define that and its a shame more franchises dont stay disciplined and use that model. Many swing for the fences with name guys that dont win for you. In a world of tank nation talk (I respect that you must have elite talent to win), it still comes down to the substance of what you put around an elite player that defines success. Too often, we look for the glitzy big name and reach for the bright lights and the style. In the end, it comes down to so many pieces meshing in an operation and it all comes back to the leadership of your owner, president, GM and coach. You get a good horse with a lousy jockey and hell underperform. Yes, youve got to have the horses, yet you better have the right folks leading the way. It all goes together. Mateus Uribe Jersey . 1 goaltender tonight when they conclude a four-game road trip versus the Winnipeg Jets. Frank Fabra Colombia Jersey . Louis Cardinals have agreed to a one-year contract. http://www.nationalcolombiafootball.com/abel-aguilar-colombia-jersey/ .com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week. James Rodriguez Colombia Jersey . -- Jonathan Diaz is easy to spot in the Blue Jays clubhouse. Luis Muriel Jersey . The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500. LONDON - For all their time on the worlds biggest tennis stage — Roger Federer in 24 Grand Slam finals and Novak Djokovic in 13 — two of the sports "Big 4" have met in only one major final: Federer won in straight sets at the 2007 U.S. Open. Theyll renew their rivalry in a championship match at Wimbledon on Sunday and equal a Grand Slam record. Its the 12th time theyve met in any round of a major, equaling Djokovics duel with Rafael Nadal in majors. Watch all the action live on TSN and TSN GO, and you can listen to the match on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto. Federer leads Djokovic 6-5 in Grand Slams tournaments, including a win the only time theyve met at Wimbledon — Federer prevailing in four sets in the 2012 semifinals, the only time theyve met on grass. The Swiss star holds an 18-16 edge in career matches, although Djokovic has won three of five matches theyve played since 2013, including this year on clay at Monte Carlo. Federer is making his first appearance in a Grand Slam final since he won here in 2012, and has done it emphatically — dropping just one set in six matches. Here are five other things to know about Sundays match on Centre Court at the All England Club: TOP RANKING: A victory by Djokovic will return him to the No. 1 ranking for the first time since September of last year, taking over from Nadal. Djokovic first rose to No. 1 when he won his only Wimbledon title in 2011, although he was already guaranteed of securing the top ranking eveen before beating Nadal in the final.dddddddddddd. NOT THIS TIME: Defending champion Andy Murray, who lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals here, or Nadal, who was beaten by Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round, had featured in 18 consecutive Grand Slam finals. DOMINATION CONTINUES: The final match-up guarantees that 36 of the past 38 Grand Slam singles titles have gone to a member of the Big 4 — Federer, Djokovic, Murray and Nadal. For trivia buffs, the ones they didnt win: the 2005 French Open (Juan Martin del Potro) and this years Australian Open (Stan Wawrinka). NOVAK SAYS: "We know each others games. Most of the matches weve played against each other went the distance, so Im going to be physically ready and fit. The key against him is trying to not allow him to dictate too much because he likes to be very aggressive, he likes to come to the net. Im going to have to be able to get as many returns back in the court and try to also stay closer to the line, protect the baseline." ROGER SAYS: "We both like to take charge, especially on quicker courts. He has a wonderful way of either re-directing or taking the ball early, taking pace from the opponent, even generating some of his own. Theres not really a safe place you can play into. Novak can hurt you down the line or cross-court on both sides. Hes really improved ... his forehand, his serve, his movement clearly is what stands out the most. I think for me its really important to stay aggressive." ' ' 'nd www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '
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