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In a draft with few sure things — even at the top — it seems fairly certain that juniors A.J. Green from Georgia and Alabama’s Julio Jones will be off the board in the first dozen picks.

“Me and Julio are just alike, we don’t get caught up in the hype and we’re just two guys trying to be the best,” Green said at the scouting combine. “I think I’m the best, I’m going to do what I can to be the No. 1 receiver and I feel like Julio’s going to do his best — we’re not going to be mad if I’m not the top receiver drafted.”

In what order the stars of the 2008 recruiting class and All-SEC rivals are likely to be drafted has become more debated since Jones’ blazing and widely unexpected combine workout. Jones, knocked for his straight-line speed, ran 40 yards in the 4.34 seconds, besting Green (4.48) in the one area in which the Bulldog had a plain advantage on game film. More praise was heaped on Jones once it was learned he went through drills and tests knowing he had a fractured foot. He only shed the walking boot on his right foot at the end of March.

Most NFL teams teams view A.J. Green as a near-instant answer as a No. 1-type receiver. (Getty Images) Jones’ timed speed doesn’t show up on the field. He’s more of a rugged blocker with a reputation for decleating defensive backs, not toasting them with his speed. Green, no sprinter in his own right, runs smooth routes with natural and free movement in all directions with short-area quickness to separate from clingy coverage.

Recent history shows draft position means little to a wide receiver prospect’s long-term future, and if anything shows neither player should necessarily be pining to be picked first. Darrius Heyward-Bey (2009) and Donnie Avery (2008) were the top wide receivers drafted in their classes, and players such as Ted Ginn (2007), Chad Jackson (2006), Troy Williamson, Mike Williams (2005) and Reggie Williams (2004) show that being one of the first two or three receivers off the board doesn’t portend NFL greatness.

At least one tight end has been selected in the first round in each of the past 11 drafts, and 16 overall, but any expectations teams have of finding a great one in this class borders on unreasonable.

Notre Dame junior Kyle Rudolph is the best of an average bunch, but a hamstring avulsion — meaning the muscle separated from the bone — kept him on the sideline for the second half of the 2010 season. He’s been running since February but caught everything in sight at his April 7 pro day, where his athletic testing was solid but unspectacular as expected.

Rudolph could go in the late first round, as Greg Olsen (31st overall, Bears) did as the first tight end drafted in 2007 or Marcedes Lewis (28th overall, Jaguars) in 2006 if a needy team gets anxious even if NFLDraftScout.com has him rated as the 40th overall prospect.

Tennessee’s Luke Stocker can’t be confused with Jason Witten, but he and D.J. Williams, whose 4.59 speed and soft hands could be coveted, should battle to be the second tight end drafted.

A closer look at the top wide receivers and tight ends in this draft:

WIDE RECEIVERS

Rating, Player, Position, College, Height, Weight, Projected Round

1. *A.J. Green, Georgia, 6-4, 211, 1

Green landed in Athens two years after he first committed to coach Mark Richt in 2006 as one of the most heralded recruits in the program’s history, immediately drawing comparisons to recent top college pass-catchers including freak athlete Calvin Johnson (Lions) from rival Georgia Tech. Green wasn’t alone — Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones was neck-and-neck with Green in the 2008 prep rankings. They enter the NFL in much the same position, and are so richly talented that the likely top 10 picks could long be linked in historical sports lore as Magic and Bird, Elway and Marino and Russell and Wilt. Green had 14 touchdown catches in his first two seasons with 103 total receptions. He was suspended for the first four games of 2010 for selling his 2009 Independence Bowl jersey to former North Carolina defensive back Chris Hawkins — deemed an agent by the NCAA — for $1,000. He returned to catch 57 passes, a career single-season best, for 848 yards and nine scores. Green has the body control of Randy Moss and his hands are elite to rare, honed from years on his elementary school juggling team. A natural with the upside to be an All-Pro very early in his career, teams view Green as a near-instant answer as a No. 1-type receiver.

2. *Julio Jones, Alabama, 6-3, 220, 1

Jones received a regal welcome in Tuscaloosa. On Signing Day 2008, sports talk radio stations were overloaded with Crimson Tide fans predicting Jones would be the next closest thing to Michael Irvin and bring the team a national title. By the time he left Alabama, Jones had a national title ring and owned several records once held by Ozzie Newsome. Jones totaled 179 receptions, 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns. Last season, he posted 78 catches for 1,133 yards and seven scores, all career highs. Jones’ physical style of play, his size and NFL-ready frame make the Irvin comparison reasonable. If he becomes more dependable catching the ball in traffic and plays close to his Andre Johnson-level timed speed — 4.34 seconds compared to 4.48 posted by Green at the combine — Jones has a chance to be an elite NFL receiver. More likely, because he doesn’t show the same rare speed on the field, he’ll be known for his physicality downfield blocking downfield and shrugging defensive backs to move the chains consistently.

3. *Torrey Smith, Maryland, 6-1, 204, 1-2

A distant third in the 2011 receiver rankings, Smith is a big-play specialist who holds the ACC single-season kickoff return record, owns Maryland’s career all-purpose yards mark (5,183) and is second in ACC history with 2,192 all-purpose yards in a season. His breakout junior season — 85 catches, 1,160 yards, seven touchdowns — helped Smith decide to enter the NFL Draft, but the decision was widely expected. He earned his degree, and the oldest of seven children has plenty of responsibility. Smith was born three months premature and by age five was taking care of his younger siblings and “running the household” by age seven, including feeding, diapering and bathing his toddler kin. He saw his mother — now 38 with a lengthy record and described by Smith as his best friend — physically and sexually abused, held at gunpoint and escaped by playing sports. He was an outstanding high school baseball player and track athlete, but has never stopped being the father figure in his family.

4. Leonard Hankerson, Miami (Fla.), 6-2, 205, 1-2

A star on his high school team during a 5A state title three-peat, Hankerson was recruited by Miami and expected to be the next great “U” receiver instantly. He was anything but — 17 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns through his sophomore season — before being taken under the wing of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper before the 2009 season. He led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns with big-play flair (17.3 yards per catch) and was even better as a senior — 72 catches, 1,156 yards and broke Irvin’s 25-year-old school record with 13 touchdowns to win the team’s MVP award. Hankerson’s route-running needs work but he’s a big receiver with 4.4 speed and strong, natural hands in a thin receiving class.

5. *Randall Cobb, Kentucky, 5-10, 191, 2

A virtual Swiss Army knife on the football field, Cobb is a converted quarterback with the shiftiness and smarts to be a slot receiver, running back or return specialist. He has limited weight-room strength to beat the jam at the line of scrimmage but he’s not one to shy away from swimming against the current. He stunned Tennessee and Phil Fulmer in 2008 when he left the state where he was recognized as the top prep prospect, and started at wide receiver (four games) and quarterback (four games) at Kentucky as a true freshman. More than versatile, Cobb makes up for average speed with savvy, agility, good hands and make-you-miss skills in open space. Teams that value his dual-purpose game might reach to get him earlier than most are projecting.

6. Jerrel Jernigan, Troy, 5-9, 190, 2

Speed can’t be taught, and NFL scouts are showing appreciation for the explosive Jernigan despite concerns about his level of competition in the Sun Belt. Jernigan was rarely asked to beat press coverage and admits he has plenty to learn when it comes to recognizing defenses and separating when bumped at the line. Jernigan has been timed as fast as 4.32 seconds in the 40 — and as “slow” as 4.5 — and can respond to critics by pointing out that he was the focus of every defensive coordinator the Trojans faced the past two seasons. He broke his own school record with 84 catches for 822 yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2010, when he racked up 11 total touchdowns. Jernigan is gifted with the ball in his hands and evaluators have underlined similarities in his game to Vikings wideout Percy Harvin, the 22nd overall pick in the 2009 draft.

7. *Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 230, 2-3

Super-productive in two seasons at Pitt with 2,337 receiving yards and 128 catches, Baldwin could do damage with a focused attitude and strong quarterback play – both of which he lacked with consistency while with the Panthers. Baldwin has the build of former Southern Cal wide receiver Mike Williams, the 10th overall draft pick in 2005 who wallowed as a third and fourth receiver with the Lions, Raiders and Titans before a season of retribution in Seattle in 2010. Baldwin could have the same issues early in his career that dogged Williams — his size is as much limitation as asset with 4.6-second speed and inconsistent hands. His maturity and professionalism must be proven, including adjusting his long-stride running style and being more disciplined in all areas of his game. He also has to streamline his body to be viewed as more than a niche player who can win one-on-one matchups in the short- to intermediate-level passing game.

8. Titus Young, Boise State, 5-11, 174, 2-3

Young has 4.38 speed and explosiveness — 35-inch vertical, 10′3″ broad jump — and should be one of the top slot receivers drafted. He averaged more than 15 yards per catch at Boise State with 25 touchdown catches and totaled 150 receptions as a junior and senior for 2,256 yards while adding seven rushing touchdowns. His agility, lateral quickness and straight-line speed allow Young to separate consistently. He can also contribute as a punt returner, but his hands and ball security (six fumbles lost) have been questioned, and Young’s attitude isn’t for everyone. He has some off-the-field questions, including a nine-game suspension as a sophomore.

9. Edmond Gates, Abilene Christian, 6-0, 189, 3

Abilene Christian has an enrollment of less than 4,800, but its list of alumni in the NFL has ballooned in recent years. The next Wildcats prospect to enter the league might be the best, which is saying something considering the success of running back Bernard Scott (Gates’ cousin), safety Danieal Manning and wide receiver Johnny Knox. Gates survived a difficult childhood — his father was sentenced to 18 years in prison for murder — and was dismissed from Tyler (Texas) Junior College. Because he’s 25 years old, teams might hesitate to draft him in the top 50, but his 4.31 speed will make him difficult to pass up.

10. Niles Paul, Nebraska, 6-1, 224, 3

Paul wore many pelts as a prep, winning state titles in track and football and averaging 19 points per game on the hardwood, but the nephew of former Huskers running back Ahman Green says he was meant to play football. In some ways — strength and explosiveness as a runner, receiver and returner — Paul is cut from the same cloth as Cowboys 2010 first-round pick Dez Bryant, another Big 12 receiver who excelled in a run-first offense. But there are less flattering comparisons. Paul’s maturity and decision-making have been scrutinized because of two alcohol-related arrests (underage consumption, suspicion of DUI), as was the case with Bryant last April, and he also missed time as a senior with a broken foot. The on-field questions that prevent evaluators from pegging Paul as a potential No. 1 receiver are doubts about his true second gear to separate and concentration lapses that led to numerous drops. If he takes to coaching and embraces his opportunity, Paul could surprise.

11. Greg Little, North Carolina, 6-2, 220, 3-4

Of the prospects considered rare physical specimens in this draft, no receiver this side of Julio Jones (Alabama) holds a candle to Little. Suspended last season for violating the NCAA rule on interaction with agents, Little returned to his high school campus for intense workouts at every opportunity and it showed in his combine testing — 27 reps of 225 pounds, which was better than many of the top offensive tackles in this class, 4.51 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical and a broad jump of 10′9″ with a chiseled frame. Before he was banned, Little wore many hats for the Heels, lining up at quarterback in the Wildcat formation, running back and wide receiver. He starred in big games, including 7-87-2 against Pitt in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl. It’s reasonable to question whether Little can have an immediate impact after 18 months away from football contact. He needs position-specific training and coaching to reach his potential, but Little has a chip on his shoulder and is eager to prove he belongs with the elite receivers in this class.

12. Tandon Doss, Indiana, 6-3, 200, 3-4

When does Indiana lure one of the top high school talents in the state even with a porous record and flagging history? When he’s the state’s Mr. Football with strong ties to the program. Doss came to Indiana in 2008 as a big receiver expected to fill in for James Hardy, a second-round pick of the Bills in ‘08 coming off of a 16-touchdown season at IU. Doss has tremendous hands and shows great focus in traffic along with the ability to make the first man miss as a returner. But he rolls off the line of scrimmage, lacking instant burst, and isn’t projected to be a No. 1 NFL receiver. Doss was a sensation as a slot receiver who dwarfed most nickel cornerbacks, but his durability — including his current groin issue, which also kept him sidelined for the 2010 season opener — isn’t considered a strong suit. He also missed time with shoulder and knee injuries. Out of the headlines due to the groin strain that kept him from working out for scouts until April 6 (pro day scheduled in Bloomington), Doss no doubt would bring more cachet if he’d played at one of the Big Ten’s perennial winners.

TIGHT ENDS

Rating, Player, Position, College, Height, Weight, Projected Round

Kyle Rudolph runs a 4.78 in the 40 and is a sure-handed receiver. (Getty Images) 1. *Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame, 6-6, 259, 1-2

A tall target who gets off the line well and runs very well for his size, Rudolph’s first on-field work in front of scouts during the pre-draft process was April 7. Rudolph was solid, timing at 4.78 in the 40 and showing tremendous hands. He missed the final six games of last season due to a torn hamstring, and needs to display good straight-line speed. Some have compared Rudolph to Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots’ 2010 standout rookie who missed his final season at Arizona due to back surgery, but Rudolph isn’t as athletic. He does have good size and should be able to contribute as a run-blocker. However, his mark in the NFL will be a receiver capable of stretching defenses and making plays after the catch. In three seasons in South Bend, he caught 90 passes for 1,032 yards and eight touchdowns.

2. Luke Stocker, Tennessee, 6-5, 258, 2

Stocker has to be given credit for remaining productive through three different head coaches during his time in Knoxville. In a weak class, he has soft, reliable hands and the potential to be a starter down the road, although he doesn’t truly excel in any one area. What Stocker does have going for him is good size and experience in a pro-style offense. His best 40-yard dash time of 4.68 seconds doesn’t display seam-busting speed and he is a bit of a project as a blocker. But once he gets his hands on the ball, Stocker is a load to bring down. He was the only Volunteer to catch a pass in every game last season, finishing with 39 catches for 417 yards.

3. D.J. Williams, Arkansas, 6-2, 245, 2-3

Williams endured a rough childhood, which included his mother moving with her three children to Little Rock, Ark. to get away from Williams’ physically abusive father. Now, the 2010 John Mackey Award winner is poised to be one of the top tight ends draft this year. He’s undersized to be considered an every-down player in the NFL, but Williams is a tenacious blocker and gives excellent effort every play. As an H-back, he has the potential to be put in motion to take advantage of his good quickness off the snap, straight-line speed (4.59 40) and reliable hands. A three-year starter, Williams caught a team-high 49 passes for 589 yards and four touchdowns as a senior — second only to his sophomore season (61-723-3).

4. Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin, 6-3, 243, 3

A high school wide receiver, it took Kendricks a few seasons to wade his way up the draft chart behind current NFL tight ends Owen Daniels (2006, fourth round, Texans), Travis Beckum (2009, third, Giants) and Garrett Graham (2010, fourth, Texans). He still has a slight frame and limited top-end speed, but Kendricks gets off the line in a hurry for the position, can stretch the field and is an underrated blocker who could contribute early in two-tight end sets. Despite the slow start to his career, Kendricks is 18th in school history with 1,160 receiving yards.

5. Jordan Cameron, USC, 6-5, 254, 3-4

Cameron went from unheralded mid-round prospect to viral sensation with the YouTube video he filmed with Clippers star Blake Griffin spoofing the classic Michael Jordan/Spike Lee “Mars Blackmon” commercial. The video, showing various shots of Cameron dunking a basketball, did show off the former Trojans’ athleticism. The high school wide receiver is still learning the nuances of playing tight end, and didn’t make his first career reception until his senior season. He’ll also have to add bulk to handle blocking duties in the NFL, but Cameron is an intriguing prospect. He’s a versatile athlete hoping to follow in the footsteps of former college basketball players such as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham in translating those skills to the tight end position in the NFL.

6. Rob Housler, Florida Atlantic, 6-5, 248, 3-4

Housler is on track to join quarterback Rusty Smith (2010, sixth round, Tennessee) as the only former Owls to get drafted into the NFL. It’s a deserved honor for a team-first player who played as a true freshman in 2006 but agreed to redshirt in 2009 with FAU having a logjam at his position. He put his athleticism on display by working as a quarterback on the scout team and simulating the spread-style offenses of FAU’s opponents. Back on the field on game days in 2010, Housler earned second-team All-Sun Belt by catching 39 passes for 629 yards and four touchdowns. He has the height/speed combination teams are looking for, with the ability to work down the seam. Due to his lack of bulk, Housler won’t be an every-down player but can carve out a spot as an H-back-type.

Reynolds is the Senior Editor for NFLDraftScout.com. Derek Harper contributed to this report.

For the second time in his seven-year NBA career, Magic center Dwight Howard is averaging 37.7 MPG, which means that he’s on the floor for roughly 80% of every game in which he plays.

That other 20% may not sound like much now, but the playoffs are rapidly approaching and Orlando no longer has Marcin Gortat to come off the bench. So how can the Magic get some positive minutes while their best player sits?

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“It’s a joint effort,” reserve swingman Quentin Richardson told HOOPSWORLD. “We all have to go in there and try and get rebounds and protect the paint and do things like that so it’s definitely a joint effort from everybody.

“For the most part, it’s crazy, he’s playing a lot of minutes,” Richardson continued. “There’s not a whole lot of time he’s not out there dominating the inside and keeping himself out of foul trouble and staying on the court. It’s fortunate we don’t have to worry about that a great deal.”

But Orlando may have to worry about it in the near future. Coach Stan Van Gundy cut Howard’s minutes down to around 32 or 33 a game in the month prior to the playoffs last year and will likely do so again this season. And even when Howard is logging major minutes in the playoffs, the time he spends off the court may very well determine the outcome of the game. Superman has to sit sometime.

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The two most integral replacements are sharpshooting power forward Ryan Anderson and starting power forward Brandon Bass, who, despite standing 6-8 in sneakers, slides to the block in Howard’s absence.

“We need to go a little harder and focus on the rebounding because when Dwight’s in the game, he’s a rebounding machine, and obviously on the defensive end, we need to focus more on the rotation,” Anderson told HOOPSWORLD. “Me and Brandon Bass playing the 5, we’re not so used to that. We’re used to playing the four.

“So we’re just focusing in and trying to come to shootaround ready, come to the game prepared,” Anderson continued. “Personnel is big. We need to just know every big man on the court. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of just focusing on the things that Dwight does when he’s on the court—the rebounding, the defense, the rotation—things like that.”

Typically when Howard exits, Bass slides down to the block on offense while Anderson sets up shot in the corner. Orlando may be playing without a true center in those circumstances, but they’ve been able to steal a decent amount of minutes with this lineup. In fact, in the 53.7 minutes that Anderson and Bass have teamed with Gilbert Arenas, J.J. Redick and Jason Richardson, the Magic have rebounded 53.5% of missed shots while scoring 1.13 points per possession and yielding .93 points per defensive possession (+21 on the season), according to 82games.com’s latest tabulations. It’s not easy, but the Magic are finding creative ways to play without Howard for few minutes per night.

“I try to,” Bass told HOOPSWORLD when asked if he can replace Howard. “It’s tough. When Dwight’s not out there, it’s tough for us. We try to set a lot of pick and rolls, hit me for the rolls and hopefully the defense will collapse and we can get open shots.

“Every day we’ve been trying to get better at improving offensively and defensively, mainly on the defense,” he continued. “Like I said, when Dwight’s out of the game, we run a lot of pick and rolls we all have to make small plays. I basically roll. I post up when I get opportunities.”

Both Anderson and Bass have given Van Gundy plenty to smile about. The former has hit 38.7% f his 3-point attempts this season and is grabbing 5.4 RPG in only 21.7 minutes of action per night while the latter is making 50.6% of his field goals and scoring 11.1 PPG. Most importantly, Bass has been so good at imitating Howard for short stretches that Anderson hasn’t had to alter his approach when he checks in.

“I think it’s pretty similar because Brandon’s a low-post guy on the offensive end, so my role doesn’t really change,” Anderson said. “Either way, our offense stays the same. I think with Brandon, he can spread out on the perimeter too. He can pick and pop. I think it’s pretty tough to guard us either way—when Dwight’s in the game or when he’s not because [Bass] is a versatile big guy.”

Of course, the onus of replacing Howard doesn’t just fall on Bass. Over the season’s final few weeks several players—possibly forward Earl Clark—will have to step in to give the big man some rest. And the better the Magic are at doing that in March and April, the easier it will be in May and June.

Don’t forget, Howard has already been suspended one game for accumulating 16 technical fouls (Orlando lost to Portland that night) and he could face more suspensions for his 18th and 20th violations. The Magic have a firm hold on the fourth seed in the playoffs, but seven such infractions in the postseason could put Howard in street clothes at a most inopportune time.  That’s why it’s imperative that Orlando hammer out a firm Howardless strategy now, before the stakes get too high.

“I’m sure that’s something will have to safeguard and work on,” Richardson concluded. “But that’s why this is a joint effort. Everyone needs to put in the work to do this.”

Beware of ‘Fragile’ Flying Objects

Hawks coach Larry Drew said his team is “a little fragile right now” before Wednesday’s loss to the 76ers, the Associated Press reported. Atlanta is 7-14 in their last 21 games, largely because they’ve been playing teams like Miami, Denver, Chicago and Philadelphia.

But tomorrow they play the lowly Nets, which is going to be a pretty depressing test for Hawks fans. Either Atlanta pulls it together and creams an inferior opponent that could be without it’s best player (Deron Williams), or the season will continue to erode in front of Drew’s eyes.

The Hawks hold a two and a half game lead over the 76ers for the fifth seed, but that is of little consequence. Whether Atlanta plays Boston, Miami or Orlando in the first round, they’re going to lose unless they make some major changes.

One ominous sign for Hawks fans is be point differential. Of the top eight teams in the East, all but two have a positive point differential. Those two are the eighth-seeded Pacers, and, surprisingly the Atlanta Hawks who have been outscored this season by 0.4 points per game. For a team that started the year 6-0, they’re suddenly surrendering without much of a fight.

Drew believes the problem may have to do with heart, because the Hawks haven’t been showing much of them when the other team starts scoring.

“It’s something I’ve been preaching it seems like every day this month, about how to respond to runs,” Drew told reporters. “This game is a game of runs. Teams make runs. You make runs. You respond to it and we just don’t respond to it well at all. It looks like we lose interest, lose confidence. We just don’t handle it well.”

All-Star guard Joe Johnson doesn’t have a much better assessment either.

“We’re a team that sits here in this locker room and talk all the time about what we want to do and what we need to do,” he told the AP. “Then we go out on the floor and do things that are out of our character or that’s not within ourselves. It makes us all look bad. Until we get that part of the game down, then we’re going to continue to look bad.”

The Hawks play the Nets Saturday night at 7 p.m. on NBA TV.

Check Out: Kentucky vs. Ohio State from Newark, NJ

The top-seeded Buckeyes have always had the inferior basketball program in their Ohio River rivalry with Kentucky Wildcats, but things are different in the postseason.

Oddly enough, UK has never beaten OSU in the NCAA Tournament (0-5). Do the Wildcats have enough to do that this year?

Check out this budding regional rivalry at 9:45 P.M. on CBS.

FYI—My Twitter handle has changed to @alexraskinNBA.

Check Out HOOPSWORLD’s March Madness Coverage

Make sure you check out our NCAA Tournament coverage. Yannis Koutroupis, Luke Byrnes, Tommy Dee, and Coach Anthony Macri have the scoop on the latest happenings.

More Twitter:  HOOPSWORLD has launched a new Twitter module where we will be releasing more breaking news and insider-type information via Twitter. Make sure you are following all of our guys to insure you are getting the very latest from our team: @stevekylerNBA, @AlexKennedyNBA, @jfleminghoops, @TheRocketGuy, @EricPincus, @joelbrigham, @alexraskinNBA, @stephenlitel, @TommyBeer and @YannisHW.

NBA Chats:  Susan Bible will host her weekly NBA Chat tomorrow at 11am, if you want to get an early start. You can always find the next chat here: Upcoming NBA Chats.

MIAMI

When it was over, when the Thunder finished throttling the Heat Wednesday night, my thoughts turned to Boston and L.A.

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For a night at least, the Thunder reminded me of the Celtics and looked like the most dangerous threat to unseat the Lakers in the West.

“They’re better,” Dwyane Wade said of Oklahoma City. “They did a great job getting themselves prepared for the Western Conference. They are going to be right there in the thick of things, because they have added some beef up front. And they have athleticism.”

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Yeah, the acquisition of Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed appears to have transformed the Thunder from a dangerous playoff team to legitimate contender. Wednesday night’s 96-85 road win at American Airlines Arena was the Thunder’s fifth straight.

The outcome said far more about the Thunder than the big-game-weary Heat.

Wade and James are probably tickled with joy knowing Boston sent Perkins to OKC. The Celtics used to be as long, strong, deep and athletic as the Thunder.

In restoring their confidence during a three-game winning streak, Wade and James lived at the rim, slashing to the basket in Miami’s halfcourt offense and finishing in the paint or drawing a foul.

Wednesday, the Thunder contested everything. James and Wade sank a combined 15 of 42 shots. Perkins, Mohammed, Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant and Nick Collison challenged nearly every shot in the paint. They only blocked four, but their defensive effort caused Miami to shoot 38.5 percent from the field.

“We have a lot of athletic, versatile defenders,” Collison said. “We keep it tight in the paint.”

The Thunder looked like a young Boston. Their legs are fresher. They get off the ground quicker. And now Perkins and Mohammed give Oklahoma City added toughness and six hard fouls.

The Heat were clearly frustrated. Late in the fourth quarter, Wade had a chance to cut OKC’s lead to five. Ibaka contested Wade’s fast-break drive, the refs swallowed their whistles and Wade erupted when his missed shot wasn’t bailed out by a foul call. He drew a tech. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra drew one, too, complaining about the no-call.

“Tonight is not one of those games where you feel bad about how you played,” LeBron James said. “We can be satisfied with this loss because we know we kept a team shooting 40 percent from the floor. We couldn’t make any shots. … It is nothing to hold our heads (down) about.”

That’s because first and foremost Oklahoma City is San Antonio’s and Dallas’ and Los Angeles’ problem to deal with long before the Heat would face the Thunder in the NBA Finals.

“When we were able to break free to get opportunities that looked like they would normally be paint-rim opportunities for us,” Spoelstra said, “they either blocked, challenged or forced us into some tough misses. That started to frustrate us a little bit, and I think that affected our defensive focus.”

Wade is shooting a career-high 50 percent from the field this season. Wednesday, he was seven of 21.

“We did a great job of making it tough on him,” Durant said. “We made it tough on him all night. Luckily he was missing some shots. It was a great job by our bigs.”

I understand the Celtics had to move Perkins. He and the Celtics couldn’t agree on a new contract. But, man, he makes the Thunder a whole lot better. OKC dominated the boards Wednesday, outrebounding the Heat 51-40 and collecting 17 offensive boards.

It will be interesting to see if the Thunder have enough offense to win a seven-game playoff series against the Lakers, Spurs and Mavericks. There is no doubt OKC will be able to get the necessary fourth-quarter defensive stops.

I like the Thunder’s chances. OKC’s bruising big men are sort of like hockey enforcers for Durant. KD is free to roam the ice like Wayne Gretzky. Despite facing a motivated James most of the game, Durant had little trouble scoring 29 points. Early in the game, Durant got to the rim on backdoor cuts. When James took that away, Durant relied on his quick-release jumper.

“This team came in and got the win,” Wade admitted nonchalantly. “They beat us. You can accept that.”

That’s respect. The Heat know they faced a championship-caliber team on a hot streak.

When NFL players sued the league in the early 1990s, leading to the free agency they have today, they chose one of the best and most respected players in football to lead the charge: Reggie White.

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Nearly two decades later, the players have decided that if they decertify as a union and take the owners to court again, they’ll choose three of their best and most respected players to lead the charge: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

According to multiple reports, the players’ side has decided that the three star quarterbacks with five Super Bowl rings among them should be the names attached to their lawsuit, if they decertify and go to court.
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Choosing three well-known, well-liked, well-respected players to serve as the public faces of the players’ side is an obvious decision — even if choosing three well-paid players will make it tougher for this battle to shed the “millionaires vs. billionaires” label that the players don’t like.

That may be why Patriots guard Logan Mankins has also agreed to be named a plaintiff in the pending antitrust action if the union decertifies, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter: Mankins is an example of a player who, as a free agent with five years of experience, got the short end of the stick in 2010. Mankins’ agent recently called his treatment “a travesty.”

Scoop Jardine and Rick Jackson — a couple of Philly kids — combined for 38 points and No. 17 Syracuse, the worst free throw shooting team in the Big East, sealed a 69-64 victory over No. 15 Villanova at the line Monday night.

Jardine had 20 points and six assists for the Orange (23-6, 10-6), while Jackson had 18 points, five rebounds and four blocks.

The win was the sixth this season over a ranked team for Syracuse, tying it with No. 5 Texas for the most in the nation.

The teams swapped road wins, with Villanova winning 83-72 at Syracuse on Jan. 22.

Corey Stokes returned from missing three games because of a turf toe injury to lead the Wildcats (21-7, 9-6) with 24 points, including matching his season high with five 3-pointers.

But it was at the free throw line where the teams traded places.

Villanova, which entered the game leading the Big East in free throw shooting at 76.8 percent, was 17 of 27 at the line. Stokes, The Rutgers junior has resumed his academic studies, attending a Blacks and Economics Structures class Monday via videoconference from his room at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange.

John Paxton, the Rutgers University professor who teaches the Department of Africana Studies course, said LeGrand “speaks, contributes and participates” like every other student taking the class. He added that from 6:40 to 9:20 p.m. every Monday, LeGrand is able to participate in the classroom lecture while sitting in his wheelchair in front of a computer screen.

“I don’t take it easy on him,” Paxton said, standing outside his lecture hall prior to his class Monday night. “He’s active in the class. He has a microphone (on his computer) and his computer sits up front so I can hear. He makes a point and I’ll stop, and we’ll get him interacting. I’m just glad with the technology being what it is that I have the opportunity to help him with his education.”

According to the course description on the university’s website, the class examines the “organization of economic activity in the black community; investments, ownership of capital, exploitation of the consumer and wage earner.”
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LeGrand was taking Paxton’s class in the fall 2010 semester when he suffered the spinal cord injury in an Oct. 16 football game against Army at the Meadowlands. Still paralyzed below the neck, LeGrand, who recently reported having “full sensation” throughout his body, made his first public appearance on Saturday night, thanking the approximately 3,000 guests attending the “Laugh to Heal Comedy Fest Fundraiser” at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway for their support.

LeGrand, a 20-year-old from Avenel, told the crowd: “I just want to thank everybody for coming out here today, and I’m just gonna keep on chopping during my rehab.”

Paxton said he received a phone call from a Rutgers football academic adviser shortly before the spring semester, notifying him that LeGrand wanted to re-enroll in his class.

“He’s a good student,” the professor said. “I mean, he participated last semester. He moved up from the back after the first class all the way to the front. You could tell he was eager to get the material.”

Paxton, who has visited LeGrand at Kessler, added it “speaks volumes” to LeGrand’s work ethic that he’s as committed to continuing his studies as he is with his rehabilitation.
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“I have no doubt if his spirit continues that he’ll get to exactly where he wants to go,” Paxton said. “A lot of people could start feeling sorry for themselves and giving up. But to want to come to class — I mean, I have students who don’t want to come to class — so to have that desire to push himself, to contribute, to do his best, it does speak a lot to his character, his perseverance and to the person that he is.”

a traditional idea of the Cleveland Browns are now part of the AFC North division in the NFL. Assembly of the way the Football League in 1950. They have been eight different leagues, four of which were won in the NFL. If you’re a fan, you want to be sure that the possession of objects of design as the latest Cleveland Browns jersey.

Although the team has a long history of success were not so glorious since the merger of the NFL and AFL. The Browns are one of the five teams that has yet to reach the Super Bowl, and even worse than the NFL team the city has not been received or send a team to the Super Bowl do.

has worn the uniform of the Browns very little change in the course of the year, except for a small gap for silver pants in the fifties and some changes to the margin in these helmets, shirts and socks. An interesting fact about the uniform of the Cleveland Browns is that the kit only to not use a logo as such in the city, is just a big fat B.

Cleveland Browns jerseys feature the famous brown with white stripes and white manga orange number printed on the back.

There is another set of numbers with white brown and orange-brown stripes. The pants are brown usually with a white band, dark orange worn while, the socks or white depending on the T-shirt will be used.

Since the late nineties to the whole team was wearing the brown and white jerseys at home in a way a bit odd that the teams usually decide in warmer climates for a set in color.

A small addition to T-shirts was created in 2002, which is the first AL is designed on the sleeves. This is due to commemorate the team owner, Al Lerner, who unfortunately died this year.

For the first time in history, the team used the Cleveland Browns brown pants during a game in the preseason 2008th They were designed for the parties, but no regular election.

When you spend your Sundays, sitting in the book as  Dawg  at the Browns Stadium, you will feel proud with the use of the latest T-shirt. It is true that most fans will be more motivated in this field behind a team member. Who knows, may be eliminated during this season as one in which the Browns by the failure of the past can be considered.

To compare a selection of jerseys NFL, you should check out later online retailers. The choice and the costs would be much more comfortable than in a conventional business. There are not any restrictions on a product delivered to you where you live.

While all beverages hydrate your body, only water doesn’t come with a heavy freight of calories or trick your brain into consuming too much

It’s a question I’m often asked by calorie-conscious clients in my private practice: What can I drink besides plain, boring water?

Of course, there are plenty of options to quench your thirst besides tap water. Soft drinks, diet soft drinks, fruit juice, flavoured waters, vitamin-enriched waters, milk, soy beverages, even coffee and tea contribute to your daily water requirements.                                       But while all of these beverages hydrate your body, they’re not created equal when it comes to weight control or health. It’s as important to consider what you sip each day as it is what you chew.                                                                                         Your body can’t live without water. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells, flushes toxins from organs, regulates body temperature, keeps your skin moist and cushions your joints. Drinking enough water can even keep your appetite in check.                                          So what should you drink that won’t sabotage your health? I’m afraid plain water is your best hydration choice: It’s calorie-free and void of additives.                                          If you want flavour, add sliced citrus fruit, crushed mint leaves or a splash of pomegranate or cranberry juice. Or make ice cubes from 100 per cent fruit juice and add two to a glass of water.                                                                                         Sparkling water, such as club soda or mineral water, is another option for folks who find flat water boring. Despite the myth that carbonated water robs calcium from your bones, there’s not a shred of evidence to support this.                                                       If mineral water is your main source of water, be mindful of sodium. Naturally occurring, sodium is listed on the label in parts per million, equivalent to milligrams of sodium per litre.                       San Pellegrino is virtually sodium-free with 43 milligrams per litre, or 10 milligrams per 250 millilitres. Apollinaris delivers 102 milligrams of sodium per 250 ml (410 mg/l), so go easy on how many glasses you gulp each day. (Adults aged 19 to 50 need 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day; older adults require 1,200 to 1,300,)When deciding what else to drink, you also need to consider calories, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, chemical additives and caffeine.                  Experts recommend that your beverage intake not exceed 14 per cent of your daily calories. That’s because sipping too many calories can lead to weight gain.                                      Unlike when they’ve eaten a larger meal or snack, people don’t compensate by eating less later when they’ve consumed a high-calorie drink. The body doesn’t register liquid calories as carefully as it does calories from solid food.                                                  If you’re consuming 2,000 calories a day, you shouldn’t drink more than 280 of those calories (say, 500 ml/16 ounces of 1 per cent milk and 175ml/six ounces of Gatorade).                                    If you’re following a 1,500-calorie-a-day weight-loss plan, liquid calories should not exceed 210 – the equivalent of a Starbucks Grande non-fat latte and 175ml/six ounces of orange juice.                                                                                        Here’s how other beverages stack up when it comes to health. (You might find that plain old water isn’t so boring after all.)                                                            Soft drinks                                                                                             The term “soft drink” refers to any beverage with added sugar or other sweetener and includes pop, fruit punch, lemonade, sweetened iced tea, sweetened powdered drinks such as Kool-Aid and sports and energy drinks.                                                             Most of us know these sugary concoctions – typically containing eight teaspoons worth per 375ml (12-ounce) serving – aren’t good for us. A steady intake is linked not only to weight gain, but to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.                                         Cola-type beverages (diet or non-diet) are made with phosphoric acid, an additive that can deplete calcium from bones if consumed in excess.                                                 Sports drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde are intended to be used when exercising. They provide water, carbohydrate and electrolytes. For sedentary folks, they’re just another source of refined sugar and sodium.                                                              Energy drinks have enough caffeine to raise your blood pressure, and those sweetened with sugar contain seven teaspoons worth per 250-ml/eight-ounce serving.                                      Avoid soft drinks. Consider them a treat to be consumed only once in a while. If you drink them more often, compensate for the calories elsewhere in your diet.                                Diet drinks                                                                                    Switching to sugar-free drinks would seem to solve the problem of calories and weight gain. One concern, however, is that artificial sweeteners separate sweetness from energy.     Normally, our brain responds to sweetness with signals to consume more calories, register they’ve been consumed, and then stop eating. But by providing a sweet taste without calories, artificial sweeteners could confuse these signals and impair the body’s ability to gauge how many calories are being taken in. In other words, if you learn to associate sweet tastes with few calories, even a high-calorie dessert may fail to fill you up.                                     Studies support this notion. When rats were fed food sweetened with saccharin, they took in more calories and gained more weight than rats fed sugar-sweetened food. An eight-year study of nearly 3,700 adults showed that those who drank three or more artificially sweetened beverages a day were more likely to have gained weight than those who didn’t drink them.                                                                                                     If you drink artificially sweetened beverages at all, limit yourself to one a day. Vitamin-enriched water                                                                                 Most of these beverages are soft drinks in disguise.                                               Glaucéau VitaminWater delivers 120 calories worth of table sugar (7.5 teaspoons) per 591-ml (40-ounce) bottle. Aquafina Plus+ Vitamins contains 6.25 teaspoons of sugar (100 calories) per 591-ml bottle.                                                                                                                   If you’re concerned about your nutrient intake, you’re better off chasing a multivitamin supplement with a glass of water.                                                                        Milk and soy beverages                                                                            Skim and 1 per cent milk, as well as unflavoured soy milk, supply protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. These are healthy beverages, but be mindful that they contain roughly 100 calories per 250 ml.                                                                            100 per cent fruit juice                                                                               Juice contains vitamins, but it’s higher in calories than you might think. A 12-ounce (375 ml) serving of orange juice has 167 calories and 30 grams of sugar. Limit yourself to one four-to-six-ounce serving per day. Eat whole fruit more often than you drink juice.                                Coffee and tea                                                                                   They’re calorie-free as long as you don’t load up on sugar and cream. And they may have health benefits, thanks to their antioxidant content. For most people, it’s safe to drink up to five servings a day. However, women who are pregnant and people with high blood pressure or osteoporosis should limit their caffeine intake.

New York, is the official name of the city of New York, the largest city in the United States, and the most populous city in North America. The city is the center of international finance, politics, entertainment and culture, and one of the most important cities in the world at large (with London, Tokyo and Paris) with an almost unparalleled museums, galleries, theater, media, international corporations and stock exchanges. The city is also the United Nations and all international missions are related.

Shopping: Shopping is popular with visitors, with Fifth Avenue is a famous shopping corridor for luxury goods. Macy’s, a division of the nation’s largest department, and around Herald Square is an important destination for goods to more moderate price. In recent years, 23rd Street is a must for the  Big Box  retailers. In southern Manhattan, Greenwich Village is home to hundreds of independent music and bookstores, while the East Village continues to reign as a facilitator of all things  strange and unusual that you will not find anywhere else. The Diamond District (on 47th Street between Fifth and sixth means are located) is the main town of the city to buy jewelry, and SoHo, formerly the center of the art scene in New York is, today announced high for his business clothing prices, and art galleries are concentrated in Chelsea. There are also shops in downtown and along major transport routes Brooklyn Queens Boulevard in Queens.

Dining: New York City is the best restaurant in the United States and one of the best in the world. New York has literally thousands of restaurants to choose from (over 25,000 in fact), which covers almost all kitchens. Some big names are Eleven Madison Park, the River Cafe?, Boat Basin Cafe?, Veritas. Such as restaurants, thousands of bars and cafes in the city. A highlight of the former are some Old Ale House McSorley, Revival, Push Caf? and White Horse Tavern.

Sport is: become a large part of the rest of the country American football the most popular sport in New York professional baseball probably always moves the passion and interest. A  Subway Series  between city teams is a time of great excitement, and the championship or the World Series by New York Yankees or the Mets in New York is considered worthy of the highest celebration, including a team victory parade of the victors.

With a view to experimenting with new hairstyle in 2010? It is their choice. But it is an absolute feast is to be selected into the air. I chose the most popular hairstyle in 2010, just for you. Everything you need to do is choose a style of hot air, which dominate the scene of new hair this year.

1 At the first place is the bob hair cut. This year the precision cut bobs are huge, smooth, sleek styling, a blunt fringe and heaps of shine. Your bob hair style should be carefully crafted to accentuate your facial structure, or to highlight the long beautiful neck. If you have a straight or slightly wavy hair, best bob hair styles for you will be from ear level to shoulder. Bangs also go great with bobs, but only opt if it works with your facial structure.

2 The second hair style is long and wavy. The most important thing for this hair style the waves should look as natural as possible. Also another great idea which is also popular is the long wavy hair with multiple layers. So if you like this hair styles choose a good hair stylist and listen to their ideas that will works best on your hair, while complimenting your face.

3 Third hair style for this season is the short pixie haircut. These haircuts can make you feel much better than any other haircut because first of all it is trendy, cute, and easy to maintain during the summer. The pixie haircut brings attention to your facial features, and if that is what you were looking for then the pixie haircut is the perfect for you.

4 Another hair trend for this year is the classy ponytail. Worn both high and low it looked absolutely stunning. And maybe this is one of the hottest trends this year. Just remember the perfect ponytail requires perfectly clean hair. Whether you choose to wear it high or low, with side or middle part the ponytail looks great.

5 If you did not like non of these hair trends for this year here is another choice for you. If you prefer straight hair, this will be a great news for you. The classic straight traces are very “IT” this year. This hair style will look even more fabulous parted in the middle.

6 And finally the last hot hair trend for this year is the rich natural brown colors. The deep tones of chocolate or maybe the red tones are a great compliment to a dark brown or black hair color. Remember the hair color can have a dramatic effect on an otherwise plain hair style.

This year in will be the short hair styles, but it is up to you to choose which one is the perfect for you. Also I have another suggestion for you if you do not want to experiment on yourself than you have some pretty interesting games online in which you can do a hair makeover if you just upload a picture of you. And that is not all, these games can be very interesting because you will have a lots of fun.

If you have a daughter you can relax together and try out some new haircuts. Also besides the hair makeover games you can find animal makeover games, virtual makeover games, even and doll makeover games.

So are you ready to have a fun, and to make a complete makeover on yourself? Then what are you waiting at, turn on your computer and start searching for makeover games.

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