Allgemeine News » game in other places

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers couldnt keep waiting around for Lance Stephenson to make up his mind. Jason Pominville Jersey . So on Friday, they went to work. The two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups announced they had signed three free agents -- backup big man Lavoy Allen, swingman C.J. Miles and Damjan Rudez, a sharp-shooting forward from Europe. Coach Frank Vogel hopes all that is just a precursor to re-signing Stephenson, who led the NBA with five triple-doubles last season. "Its a process. The ball is in his court," Vogel said. "Its a waiting game until we see how some of the other dominoes fall." Indiana has offered Stephenson a five-year deal worth $44 million, but the shooting guard believed that he could land a more lucrative deal when some of the biggest names available in free agency -- LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- decided where to play. James decision to return to Cleveland may finally break the free-agent logjam, and give Stephenson more leverage to get a bigger contract. While Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and Vogel have made it clear they would like Stephenson back, they also realize that the Pacers must find more scoring punch -- with or without Stephenson -- after the Heat eliminated Indiana in the playoffs each of the past three years. James will now be with Central Division rival Cleveland, too. Bird, who is trying to stay under the luxury tax, got creative. By signing Miles to a four-year deal worth $18 million, the Pacers get a 6-foot-6, 210-pound experienced swingman. He averaged 10.6 points and 2.4 rebounds over the past two seasons in Cleveland and made quite an impression on Vogel during one big-time shooting performance during the 2013-14 season. "After that happened, he (Vogel) stopped by and we were chatting and he said everybody is going to become C.J. whoever was on that team. C.J. Smith or C.J. Johnson or whoever," Miles said, laughing. "He told me that was pretty much the way it was the rest of that season (at practice)." Getting Miles also gives the Pacers a potential Plan B if Stephenson leaves. "Hopefully, Lance returns, but C.J. has proven he can start if he doesnt," Vogel said. Rudez thought he was going to get drafted six years ago after working out for several NBA teams. When his name wasnt called, the 6-10, 200-pound forward returned to Europe to improve his shooting skills. Over the past two seasons, the Croatian played well enough in Spain to draw attention from the Cavaliers and the Pacers. Bird called Rudez "one of the best shooters in Europe" after signing him to a three-year deal. Even Rudez knew the Pacers were looking for shooters. "Id heard that and thats reason they came after me," he said. "Im hoping my transition goes pretty quickly." Indiana acquired Allen in a trade deadline deal with Philadelphia in February, but the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward played sparingly after the move. The Pacers brought Allen back for the league minimum, shoring up their inside game with another strong defender. That leaves just one big question for the Pacers: Will Stephenson be back to help last seasons No. 1 seed in the East complete the push to the NBA Finals? "He knows we want him very, very badly," Vogel said. "Hopefully, well find a way to get it done." Rick Martin Jersey . The Calgary skip fell 10-8 to Swedens Oskar Eriksson in semifinal action Saturday and will face Switzerlands Peter de Cruz for the bronze medal (Saturday at 10pm et/7pm pt on TSN2). Josh Gorges Jersey . - Roger Federer squandered a big lead and lost to No. http://www.authentichockeyshopsabres.com/Marco-Scandella-Jersey/ . That little deal worked out in a big way for the Mavericks. Nowitzki had 21 points Tuesday night to pass Oscar Robertson for 10th on the NBAs career scoring list, leading the Mavs to a 95-83 victory over the Utah Jazz.Most of the attention on the 2016 NFL Draft is focused on who will go first, who might trade and which players could fall from the first round. You could sometimes be forgiven for forgetting that there will be 253 picks made, as opposed to just the 31 on day one in Chicago.There is an array of talented players waiting in the wings for their big chance. Players who do not get much attention on the home straight to the event, but have the same opportunity to become just as successful - Tom Brady is a prime example. One such player who will be looking to make a big impact from a late-round selection is Dan Vitale, and he might just be one of the most intriguing 2016 prospects of them all.Officially listed as a fullback, the former Northwestern player is so much more than that.In college, Vitale played the superback position - a role unique to Northwestern, combining the work of a fullback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. Vitale believes that his experience at superback can stand him in good stead for an NFL career In high school, I wasnt really a running back or a fullback. When I was getting recruited by Northwestern, I saw they had this superback position and it really made my eyes pop open, Vitale told Sky Sports.In college, they told me as soon as I came that the two smartest players on the field had to be the quarterback, and the superback.I had to know not only just the plays and what routes I was running, but every block. I had to know everything, except what the quarterback was reading. You have to have a high football IQ.So now that I get the opportunity to transition this role and what Ive really embraced onto the next level is cool, its really special. I think a lot of teams are really seeing the potential this position has in itself.Vitale recorded 33 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns in his final year in college, numbers you certainly would not normally associate with a conventional fullback.But in terms of numbers, it was at the NFL Combine in February that the American football world really began to wake up and take notice of his athletic ability and just what he could offer. Dan Vitale (middle) impressed at the scouting combine but believes he has more to show Just for starters, Vitale ran his 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds - a better time than 16 defensive backs. His bench-press test beat all but four offensive and defensive linemen.He recorded better times than Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry on five out of seven athletic tests, and put up a faster 60-yarrd shuttle than Will Fuller - renowned as one of college footballs fastest players. Kyle Okposo Jersey. .Despite his remarkable Combine showing, Vitale said that he was not as content as many would think.Personally, I was happy, but I wasnt satisfied, he added.My phone was blowing up, people saying great job, but on a personal level, Ive always done better in a lot of those tests.I was testing better at my training facility. Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt say I was disappointed. I know I did well, but Id say I was happy, not satisfied. NFL 2016 Draft A beginners guide to the Draft With just days to go until the Draft, rumours of where Vitale could potentially end up continue to circulate.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reported to have shown a strong interest in recent weeks, while the New England Patriots also appear keen.Vitale, as you would expect, was not willing to divulge too much information on what teams have been saying to him, but did acknowledge that the Patriots would be a good fit for his talents.I will just say that most teams ask me to keep quiet, but on a personal level, I think itd be pretty cool to play there (in New England), he added.The way they run their offence is pretty cool, I think they could use a guy like me. At this point, Ive done everything I possibly can to show all the teams what I can do. This is definitely the most stressful part - just sitting around and waiting for draft day.Just like the teams, the fans and the hundreds of other NFL hopefuls, Vitale will have to wait until the weekend to see where the next step in his football journey lies. Lawson on the 2016 Draft Shaq Lawson speaks to Sky Sports ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft But wherever it may take him, he revealed that getting the chance to experience the game in other places, such as in London, is something he would love to do.Ive had a chance to get to Europe before. Its something that Id like to experience again and show everyone what American football is all about.Id absolutely love to do that - it might be a really long flight, but its something Id be really excited to do.You can follow the 2016 NFL Draft on Sky Sports 1 from midnight on Thursday and with us here all week on www.skysports.com/nfl Also See: Tom Bradys NFL ban restored Top 10 moments from the NFL Draft Richard Graves 2016 NFL Mock Draft Kirk Cousins backs Leicester for the Premier League title Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping NFL Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL Hoodies Camo China NFL Jerseys ' ' '