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The 32-year-old Hardy batted |
ldh2013
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SAN ANTONIO -- No early playoff collapse this time. Nike Air Max 2015 Espańa . No skeptics doubting whether theyre really the calibre of a No. 1 seed. No injuries to overcome. Not a single loss in the last month. By practically any standard, the San Antonio Spurs are dominating and doing so at a pace that few NBA teams have sustained into the playoffs, returning home Tuesday with a 14-game winning streak after sweeping Utah in the most lopsided series yet this post-season. "You know what?" Spurs forward Tim Duncan said before leaving Salt Lake City, "We got a team here." San Antonio finished off the Jazz on Monday night, and could have as long as a week to rest before starting the Western Conference semifinals against either Memphis or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers lead that series 3-1 and get their first crack at advancing Wednesday. If Memphis hangs on to the brink, the Spurs may not host Game 1 until next Tuesday. Heres what the Spurs can reflect upon in the meantime: They havent lost since April 9, and since then, theyre winning by an average margin of 17 points. The NBAs running punch line for being too old and frail -- a worn-out joke thats now a misnomer, really -- is now one of only six teams since 1986 to maintain an overall winning streak this long in the playoffs. Its almost enough to make the Spurs feel confident returning to the second round, particularly after not even surviving the first last year despite being the No. 1 seed then, too. Almost enough, anyway. "As usual," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said about the next series, "scared to death." Popovich knows history is maybe the only thing the Spurs dont have going for them. As invincible as San Antonio has looked for the past month, Popovich has helmed an even hotter team in the post-season -- only to lose in the West semifinals, exactly where these Spurs are headed next. That was in 2004, when the Spurs finished the regular season on an 11-game tear, followed by six mostly blow-out wins to start the playoffs. But that 17-game winning streak came to a screeching halt by Game 3 of the second round against the Lakers, who won the next four on their way to the NBA finals. Just as they remain eight years later, Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were all the leading scorers on that 2004 team. Ginobili, at the time, was left afterward sorting out the difference between "failure and disappointment." After closing out the Jazz 87-81 on Monday -- only the third time in the past month the Spurs havent won by double-digits -- Ginobili struck a tone of cautious optimism. "We had great additions late in the season to make us even better. Our defence is slowly improving," Ginobili said. "I think we are a little better, but the league is so tough. Anybody can beat the other team." Few know that better than the Spurs. Blowing out Utah helped them exorcise any lingering demons from Memphis stomping out their 61-win season in the first round last year. Proclaiming the demise of the four-time champion Spurs has become a tradition since their last title in 2007, and the death rattle never sounded louder than following that humbling exit to the Grizzlies. Whether the next round brings a rematch with Memphis or a date with the Clippers, the Spurs were a combined 7-1 this season against both. The only loss was to the Clippers at home in March, when Parker didnt play because of a sore thigh. No injuries are shackling the Spurs this time. No guarantees, either. "We didnt accomplish anything. We just passed the first round," Parker said. "We can be happy, but tomorrow is a new day, and its going to be even harder." Nike Air Max 2016 Baratas . And well he should. The Serb outlasted Rafael Nadal to defend his Australian Open title in the longest ever Grand Slam final and become the fifth man to win three straight majors in the Open Era. Nike Air Max Thea Flyknit 2015 . 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney. The team didnt release any details on the contract. http://www.airmax2016.es/nike-air-max-2016-release-date.html . -- As Louisville strives to reach the high level of performance and consistency achieved by last years championship squad, the Cardinals also know that getting there will take time with a bunch of new faces.BALTIMORE - J.J. Hardy signed a $40 million, three-year contract with the Orioles on Thursday night, the eve of Baltimores first appearance in the AL Championship Series since 1997.The contract, which comes with an option for 2018, goes into effect after his current deal expires at the end of this season.Executive vice-president Dan Duquette figured there was no time like the present to lock up a two-time Gold Glove winner at a key infield position.Why not now, really? Duquette said. When we looked at the market, we thought the best chance to sign J.J. was before he went to free agency because hes distinguished himself as one of the top shortstops in the league. And J.J. let us know that he wanted to continue his career here in Baltimore.Hardy has been a fixture at shortstop for the Orioles since 2011, playing solid defence and providing decent hitting in a lineup filled with sluggers.Although he hit only nine homers this season, Hardy totalled 77 long balls over the previous three years and won Gold Gloves in 2012 and 2013.Free agency was temppting, but in the end Hardy wanted to stay with the Orioles. Nike Air Max 2015 Blancas. It crossed my mind, but at the same time this is where I wanted to be, he said. Theres a lot of uncertainty in free agency. You dont know whats going to happen. I knew that I liked it here and I liked playing with all my teammates. Bottom line, it comes down to winning and I think weve got a good thing here.The 32-year-old Hardy batted .268 with 52 RBIs in 141 games during the regular season, then went 3 for 10 in Baltimores three-game sweep of Detroit in the AL Division Series.In the field, he ranked second among AL shortstops with 99 double plays turned, was third in fielding percentage (.978) and assists (394), and fifth in putouts (187).Hardy is a two-time All-Star, in 2007 with Milwaukee and last year as a member of the Orioles.I hope J.J. ends his career here, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. It makes us a better club, obviously. Hes been solid. You never take for granted what J.J. brings.___AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' ' |
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