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lingzi
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Jan 31 2013, 08:06 AM
Post #1
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PORTLAND, Ore. Patrick Willis Elite Jersey . -- Dont believe the hype, Nicolas Batum says. Hes very happy hes remaining with the Portland Trail Blazers. Batum met with the media Friday at the Blazers practice facility and downplayed his free agency dalliances with the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I wanted to be in Minnesota, its true," Batum said. "But I wanted to be back (in Portland). It was a tough choice, believe me." In the end, the choice wasnt his. The Blazers locked up the 23-year-old restricted free agent Wednesday when they matched a four-year offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves worth a reported $45 million. Batum, a native of France and a four-year NBA veteran, said he worried that Portland would not match the offer. "I told my girlfriend, imagine if they dont match," Batum said. "I dont want to have to play against these guys." But as general manager Neil Olshey had promised all along, Portland did match, putting an end to nearly three weeks of speculation about whether Batum would return after averaging 13.9 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. Under an aggressive free agency strategy employed by his agent, Batum took offers from other teams while refusing to talk to Portland until he received an offer. The offer came early from Wolves President David Kahn, who let it be known that Batum was Minnesotas top free agent priority. After Olshey indicated that the Blazers would match any offer to Batum, Kahn attempted to engineer a sign-and-trade deal with the Blazers. Batum acknowledged Friday that he was concerned about how fans would perceive his free agency strategy, and took pains to explain that he was never unhappy in Portland and that much of his publicized frustration last season was about the Blazers struggles. Portland stumbled to a 28-38 season and endured coach Nate McMillans midseason firing. "Last year, I was mad about basketball," Batum said. "All of this process was basketball only, not about the city or anything." Batum said Minnesota and New Orleans were his favoured destinations because of Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman and Hornets coach Monty Williams, a former Portland assistant. And while he chafed under his role for McMillan, who used him primarily as a spot-up shooter on the wing, Batum said he trusted Olshey to hire a good coach. He said he wasnt going to give his opinion on what kind of coach he would prefer. Batum did not try to downplay the importance of the payday, which makes him one of the highest-paid small forwards in the NBA. He acknowledged he ended up with more money than he expected and said his first purchase will be a big house for his mother in France. "I cant lie," he said. "Thats a great contract." Andy Lee Jersey . Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement Saturday morning with the Nationals holding the best record in the majors. He said the media attention surrounding the innings limit for the 24-year-old right-hander was affecting the pitcher. Mike Iupati Elite Jersey . The Badminton World Federation investigated two teams from South Korea and one each from China and Indonesia. It accused them of "not using ones best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport" in matches Tuesday night. http://www.49erssuperbowl47fan.com/mike-iupati-jersey . It turned out the same way it did a week earlier in Martinsville. When the Sprint Cup points leader finally climbed out of the cockpit of his No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet more than 30 minutes later Friday, after Brad Keselowski and the rest of the field failed to top his lap of 191. Ronnie Lott Jersey . -- New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma hopes to play a bigger role on the Saints defence in his second game of the season. Frank Gore Youth Jersey . Canadas top two heavyweights will square-off with an MFC title shot at stake when undefeated hotshot Smealinho Rama meets rising star Mike "The Honey Badger" Hackert on Friday, Feb.London, England (Sports Network) - Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been hit with a two-match touchline suspension and a fine of $30,000 for improper conduct during his teams win over Tottenham. The Football Association confirmed the punishment on Monday after Pardew was sent to the stands for pushing assistant referee Peter Kirkuup in Newcastles 2-1 win on Aug. Patrick Willis Super Bowl Jersey. 18. Pardew felt the ball had gone out during a Tottenham attack, which sparked the disagreement. The manager has since accepted the charge and will begin serving the suspension immediately, meaning he will miss Newcastles next two games, against Everton and Norwich City. ' ' '
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