TORONTO -- NBA players might be enemies on the court, but they are united off it. Thats why the Toronto Raptors say theyll make a gesture of support for the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night over the Donald Sterling controversy. "Were united. . . Youve got to respect that," said Raptors all-star DeMar DeRozan. "Thats the great thing about us. Society is not in that place anymore. You see guys from all different cultures, all different parts of the country, different parts of the world all coming together as one. Comments like that are uncalled for." The Raptors will join a chorus of support from around the league when they host Brooklyn in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference series at the Air Canada Centre. Sterling, the longtime Clippers owner, was banned for life by the NBA on Tuesday in response to racist comments he made. DeRozan wouldnt specify what the Raptors silent protest might entail, but it will likely be similar to Miamis. On Monday night, the Heat ran out of the tunnel in their warmups, huddled at centre court and tossed their white jerseys to the ground. They wore their red warmup shirts inside out, hiding the team logo. Sterlings comments outraged players around the league when the story broke last Saturday. The Raptors were in Brooklyn between Games 3 and 4, and the story was the topic of conversation during the teams bus ride to practice. "We live in a society where were much past that," DeRozan said. "From the comments that Sterling said, were much bigger than that. The game came a long way and society came a long way to take three steps back." Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry said the NBA "is a brotherhood." "Its not many of us, its a fraternity, we all support each other," Lowry said. "Thats what makes the NBA and professional sports so special. . . on the floor were enemies but off the floor were all brothers." NBA commissioner Adam Silver also fined Sterling US$2.5 million, in the first moves toward forcing a sale of the Clippers and permanently removing Sterling from the league. DeRozan said that nothing less than Sterlings removal is enough, adding players cant feel comfortable playing for an owner like him. The Raptors were among numerous teams that chimed in with their support of their league commissioner. "As a proud member of the National Basketball Association, we stand strongly in our belief that the comments attributed to Mr. Sterling have no place in our society or sport," the team said in a statement. "Our organization will always work to contribute to a culture of diversity and acceptance in this league and fully support the actions taken today." Raptors coach Dwane Casey said it was unfair to question players about the controversy while theyre in the midst of the playoffs. "Its unbelievable that someone would say that in 2014," Casey said of Sterling. He added: "For me to have to stand here and talk about this when we have a game (Wednesday) night speaks for itself. Im consumed with (Wednesday) night, but still, what happened last week is real and affects all of us." The Raptors and Nets are tied with two wins apiece in the best-of-seven series. The series heads back to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Friday. Game 7, if necessary, will be in Toronto on Sunday. Crockett Gillmore Ravens Jersey . Mission accomplished. Now the Royals will take the field on Saturday with a World Series lead for the first time in team history when they play Game 4 of the Fall Classic against the Giants at AT&T Park. Kendrick Lewis Ravens Jersey . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization. http://www.ravensjerseyscheapauthentic.com/ravens-kyle-arrington-black-jersey/ .com) - On a night the Bulls played without Derrick Rose, it was time for Pau Gasol to take charge. Ricky Wagner Ravens Jersey . The matchup will be made up in Minnesota at a later date. The arena was evacuated about 45 minutes before the scheduled 9:30 p.m. EST tipoff when a generator malfunction outside the arena sent smoke pouring into the building, according to NBA spokeswoman Sharon Lima. Steve Smith Sr Ravens Jersey . - Connor Brown and Dane Fox both scored in regulation and in the shootout, as the Erie Otters extended their win streak to 10 games by defeating the London Knights 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.England may be looking for their 11th win in a row but their recent record against South Africa is not good. Will that all change on Saturday? South Africa have won 11 of the 12 Tests between the countries since 2006, the other being a 14-14 draw in 2012. England vs South Africa November 12, 2016, 2:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass However the Springboks are coming off the back of a disappointing season having lost four out of their last five Tests including a humiliating 57-15 defeat to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship. England have won all nine of their Tests under Eddie Jones, moving from eighth in the world up to second, and are firm favourites to win on Saturday. The story behind Englands meteoric rise under the guidance of their coach Eddie Jones. Jones, who worked with Jake Whites 2007 World Cup winning Springboks, knows a thing or two about their mentality and famously masterminded one of the greatest Rugby World Cup shocks ever when Japan beat South Africa last year. England know what is coming; a bruising, physical battle as South Africa will look to their traditional strengths - dominate the set-pieces and use big ball carriers to get over the gainline to keep the momentum going.We look at the key areas where the game will be won or lost...Mako Vunipola v Vincent Koch Mako Vunipola charges through Australias defence Where else to start but in the front row where the tone of the game will be set. Mako Vunipola has always impressed with ball in hand and is always high up on the tackle count. There have been concerns over his scrummaging in the past but not anymore after working hard on his technique and he will be confident he can handle Koch.England know that the set-piece is where South Africa are going to apply pressure but if Koch cannot anchor the scrum from tighthead then their gameplan will be severely stunted.Koch, who plays for Saracens with Vunipola, has come on leaps and bounds since his international debut against Argentina in 2015. His confidence was badly shaken that day after veteran Pumas loose head prop Marcos Ayerza used all his guile and experience to manipulate the set-piece and Koch was substituted at the break after coming under huge scrutiny by referee Romain Poite.Like Vunipola, Koch has knuckled down and worked hard on his craft but there are still question marks surrounding him and Vunipola will be looking to exploit them as much as he can. Courtney Lawes v Eben Etzebeth Eddie Jones expects a physical battle against South Africa. We profile the Springboks giant lock Eben Eztebeth South Africa love an enforcer in their side and Etzebeth was made for the role. At 6ft 8in and 118kg, he does not shy away from the rough stuff and never backs down. If there are going to be any handbags thrown, Etzebeth will be right in the middle - just ask the likes of Irelands Donnacha Ryan, Argentinas Tomas Lavanini, Australias Allan Alaalatoa, New Zealands Brodie Rettallick and Englands Ben Youngs. He even came to blows with his Bok second-row partner Lood de Jager when the Stormers clashed with the Cheetahs in the Super Rugby competition. Eben Etzebeth clashes with the Youngs brothers Hes no thug though - he plays close to the line and has plenty of skills that make him one of the best locks in world rugby - great hands, plenty of pace and one heck of an engine will make him a formidable opponent on Saturday.Lawes will win his 50th cap for England on Saturday and will be a key man if they are to end their 10-year losing streak against South Africa.dddddddddddd.Like Etzebeth, he loves the physical stuff and is renowned for his hard-hitting tackles. South Africa will also be targeting the lineout and Lawes will need to disrupt them as much as he can as well as look to carry the ball. Back rows Chris Robshaw of England will play a key role against South Africa Both sides have suffered injuries in this area with England without the likes of James Haskell, Sam Jones, Jack Clifford and Mike Williams.Tom Wood is the man England have called upon to wear the No 7 jersey and his role will be to tackle, tackle and tackle. Chris Robshaw will continue at No 6 and will look to slow ball down, seal turnovers and link up with the backs. Billy Vunipola - like his brother Mako - will be a key ball carrier for England to get crucial momentum. Pieter-Steph du Toit will pack down on the side of scrum South Africa have lost Francois Louw, Jaco Kriel and Roelof Smit and have picked the impressive Pieter-Steph du Toit at flanker. Du Toit will wear the No 6 jersey - which in South African terms is the openside - while Willem Alberts is in the No 7 jersey. The Boks have chosen to go with two big ball carriers - knowing what Alberts is going to do and being able to stop him are two different things - while South Africas player of the year Du Toit has excellent running lines and a fierce defence. At No 8, Warren Whiteley is the link between forwards and backs, and has exceptional pace.George Ford v Pat LambieTwickenham is expected to be wet and windy on Saturday and the pressure will be on the two fly-halfs to adapt to conditions and make sure their teams adapt too. Owen Farrell and George Ford celebrate beating Australia Ford has really taken command with a rejuvenated Bath and while Owen Farrell will be kicking for posts, Fords tactical kicking will be crucial. Expect plenty of high kicks, especially on full-back Willie le Roux who has been a bit suspect under the high ball.This is a massive game for Lambie who is still returning to match fitness following his concussion issues that saw him sidelined for three months. He played the full 80 minutes against the Barbarians and while he did look a bit rusty, he got better as the game progressed. A calm and calculated player, Lambie will look for space but will also use his tactical kicking to put pressure on Englands back three.Elliot Daly v Francois Venter Francois Venter scores against the Barbarians Daly makes his first start after five appearances from the bench and will be looking to make his mark. Jones will want Daly to make powerful runs and also use his massive left boot, which could well be a factor in Saturdays conditions. With Owen Farrell inside of him, he will be in good hands. Will need to be at his defensive best as well. Its a first taste of international rugby for Venter who has been very impressive this season for the Cheetahs and showed glimpses of his potential against the Barbarians. He is a strong powerful runner who also looks to offload if possible. Defensively he is also very solid but there are concerns about how him and centre partner Damien de Allende will gel - especially with De Allende battling for form. Hopefully he will be allowed to play his natural game against England and could pose some problems for the defence. Watch NOW TV Watch all four England rugby internationals for ￡25. No contract. Jonny May v Ruan Combrinck Jonny May in action for Gloucester Jonny May also makes his first appearance since the World Cup following a year-long battle with injuries. Hes really caught the eye with his finishing for Gloucester and is one of those players who can produce a moment of magic. With plenty of gas and an eye for the gap, May could come into his own if the game gets a bit looser and less structured. Combrinck is also back from injury - he broke his leg against Argentina in the Rugby Championship and is also a deadly finisher. He was on fire before his injury and was impressive during Irelands tour to South Africa - plenty of pace and power but will South Africa manage to get the ball, out to him?And finally… the bench Nathan Hughes could have a huge impact off the bench Its a 23-man game these days and who you bring off the bench can be the difference between winning and losing, it is one of the reasons why the All Blacks are so successful.England look to have the edge on the bench despite having three uncapped players. Backrower Nathan Hughes, centre Ben Teo and prop Kyle Sinckler have all been in fine form and have the potential to be game changers. England also have the likes of hooker Jamie George, prop Joe Marler and scrum-half Danny Care to call upon who offer plenty of experience.Watch England v South Africa live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2pm. Catch all four of Englands Old Mutual Wealth Series fixtures for £25 with NOW TV. No contract. Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '
Statistics: Posted by cherry452 — Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:27 am