tops to seal his perfect victtory and will next face Aus

FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. CHRIS GRANT (Cavs): The GM gets fired on Thursday after his team won only 29 per cent of its games during his tenure. Obviously, a totally undermanned Lakers team beating them on their home floor was the final straw. Wow, what a mess it is right now. Many folks thought with the addition of Jarrett Jack, Andrew Bynum, head coach Mike Brown and first overall pick Anthony Bennett that they would be knocking on the door for a seven or eight seed in the East. No such luck. Its been dysfunctional and the idea of signing LeBron James in the summer looks like a pipe dream and the ability to hold onto Kyrie Irving (in spite of what he says) is in serious doubt. Fragile business. 2. ENES KANTER (Jazz): Have watched him twice in person and on TV a bunch of times and I gotta confess, Im more of a Derrick Favors fan. Not sure both of these guys can co-exist. Kanter is averaging 12 and 6 and when I watch him I see a guy that is a bit robotic with his game. Yes hes a bruiser but its hard to play that style unless you have great skill to go with it. Still a work in progress. 3. CHRIS PAUL (Clippers): Its a bit chilly and rain is in the forecast here for later today in L.A. Rather this than snow and freezing temperatures. News that warmed me up today was the fact that the All-Star point guard wont make his return from injury until Sunday so the Raptors catch a break not seeing him. But it will still be a very difficult game to win for Toronto here on Friday. It will be great for Paul to get on the court this weekend and play next weekend at his first professional stop (New Orleans) in the All-Star Game. Good for the sport. Terrific player and class act. 4. RAPTORS at KINGS: It was the fourth time in the last few weeks (Celtics, Lakers, Bobcats) that the Raptors played down to their competition and "Played the Record". Games like these haunt teams and cause sleepless nights for coaches. I felt for Dwane Casey on Thursday night - he tried everything to get his team going with little success. Im sorry but this team isnt good enough to overlook anyone. Totally got outplayed and didnt deserve to win. Winning teams have real good habits. This team still floats big time with its focus. Its easy to get up for the name teams but as usual guys get it backwards. Its really hard to win those games. Play really hard against the teams you can beat and youll have a really nice season and then steal the occasional game when you play a team thats in the upper class. Tough lessons to learn. Time they actually learn the lesson and do something about it. You want the third our fourth seed and home court in the first round of the Playoffs? Punch the clock, bring the lunch bucket and hard hat and compete like crazy. You do that - youll have success. Time to grow up a bit. I have no issues with losing if you lay it all on the line to the best of your ability and the other guy happens to be better that night - that happens. Shake his hand and hold your head high and get ready for the next one. Stop teasing folks. This team is good enough and has good people on it - theyll figure it out. 5. TOM THIBODEAU (Bulls): I like what he said recently about playing time. Hes the boss and he and only he will determine who gets the privilege that you have to EARN to play and finish games. Carlos Boozer is upset with his fourth quarter role of late. I have a suggestion - play really hard and well and guess what? Youll play and finish games. Coaches want to and have to win. Its your job to please your coach, not the other way around. A coachs ultimate loyalty has to be to winning and team. Nothing else comes close. Believe me you could coach a guy you completely dislike personally yet youll play him every minute if he helps you win. Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys . Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Tigers 11-8 Monday night. Easton Stick Chargers Jersey . With nothing tangible at stake, the Raptors turned in their most impressive outing of the fall in their seventh and second to last exhibition tilt against their stiffest competition yet, but they lost a couple starters in the process. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonline.com/authentic-kellen-winslow-jersey.html . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. Jerry Tillery Youth Jersey . Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros. Drue Tranquill Chargers Jersey .Y. - Geno Smith shouted a couple of mighty expensive expletives.Michael van Gerwen sent out a warning to his title rivals at the World Matchplay after completing a 10-0 whitewash win over Jamie Caven in the first round. The defending champion produced a ruthless performance against the helpless Caven, hitting 50 per cent of his doubles at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.Robert Thornton had earlier claimed his first win at the tournament at the seventh attempt, while Dave Chisnall and Kyle Anderson are also safely through to the second round. Robert Thornton ended his wait for a maiden win at the World Matchplay But Van Gerwen set the standard on the opening evening, ending with an average of over 105 and allowing Caven only four darts at a double.In a blistering start to the match, Van Gerwen was averaging over 107 as he completed an 11-darter to move 5-0 up in under 10 minutes. Van Gerwen set up a second round match with Kyle Anderson The outgunned Caven could not match the red-hot scoring of Mighty Mike, who finished 80 on tops to seal his perfect victtory and will next face Australias Anderson.ddddddddddddThornton had earlier been forced to work for his maiden win in the World Matchplay, overcoming Josh Payne 10-7.The spirited 22-year-old had given the Scot a scare by pulling into a 5-4 lead, but Thornton punished stray darts at the double from Payne to finally end his wretched record. Dave Chisnall battled past Benito van de Pas in Blackpool Chisnall, another Premier League player, also had to endure a few uncomfortable moments before emerging with a 10-7 win over Benito van de Pas.The Dutchman produced a superb 135-finish on the bull to level the match at 7-7, but Chisnall reeled off the next three legs for victory.In the opening match of the night, Anderson took advantage of a lacklustre display from Vincent van der Voort in a comfortable 10-4 win. World Matchplay, night one results:Kyle Anderson 10-4 Vincent van der VoortRobert Thornton 10-7 Josh PayneMichael van Gerwen 10-0 Jamie CavenDave Chisnall 10-7 Benito van de Pas Also See: Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports ' ' '