SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Jay Ajayi Orange Jersey . The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point
guard is nursing a balky left ankle. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect
him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury
Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over
Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday,
but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading
17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries
the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He
knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can
argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios
second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the
time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the
whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I
was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway
through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to
miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the
Western Conference finals because of his hamstring. But he aggravated the ankle
injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say
anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like,
Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be
ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without
Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to
its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second
half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to
play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game
7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the
locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up
big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to
prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he
was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that
was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference
finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the
rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill
never do it again, I promise. Were done with that joke."
Jay Ajayi Jersey .com) - The Grand Slam season will get underway Monday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where a new
champion will be crowned this year.
Jarvis Landry Dolphins Jersey .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the
Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League.ST. LOUIS - The
Rams took a step toward lame-duck status in St. Louis and a possible move back
to the West Coast, notifying the citys Convention and Visitors Commission on
Monday that they intend to shift to a year-to-year lease agreement for their use
of the Edward Jones Dome.The CVC, which operates the dome, confirmed the move
Monday. The Rams referred comments to the CVC and general reaction was that it
was a procedural step.While the lease will now run year-to-year, all other lease
terms remain the same, CVC president Kitty Ratcliffe said in a statement. We
look forward to working with Rams management in preparation for the 2015
football season in the Edward Jones Dome.Rams billionaire owner Stan Kroenke is
part of a joint venture that announced plans earlier this month for an
80,000-seat stadium in the Los Angeles suburbs. Any move would be subject to
approval by the NFL and its owners. The NFL has already said no moves would be
made in time for next season.Kroenke has been unavailable for comment.Under
terms of a 30-year lease agreement reached in 1995, the Rams had the ability to
convert the lease to annual terms if the dome was not deemed among the top 25
per cent of NFL stadiums based on various criteria. The team had until Wednesday
to tell the city of its plans.
Xavien Howard Dolphins Jersey. The CVC had little chance of meeting the standards given 22 of 32 teams are playing in
stadiums built after 1995.St. Louis officials are working directly with the NFL
in efforts to keep football in the nations 20th-largest market and have proposed
a new stadium just north of the dome. Kroenke has repeatedly declined
comment.Los Angeles, the nations second-largest market, has been without a team
since 1995 when the Raiders moved back to Oakland and the Rams moved from
Anaheim to St. Louis.Kroenke bought the Rams in 2010 after owner Georgia
Frontiere died. The dome is outdated mostly because so many new stadiums have
been built since the lease agreement.Prior to Kroenkes purchase, the Rams and
CVC had worked together on incremental improvements to the dome. Negotiations
about a stadium overhaul began in early 2012 but sides remained far apart. The
commission had proposed a new glass addition, outdoor terraces and a new
scoreboard, improvements of less than $200 million, with the Rams picking up
half of the cost.The Rams countered with a more elaborate and expensive plan
featuring a sliding roof that city officials said would cost at least $700
million.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '
