Dein erstes Forum » d now to the end [of the tournament], everyth

NEW YORK -- Renee Brown has been at the WNBA since its inception. Twenty years after joining the league, the WNBAs chief of basketball operations and player relations is stepping down this month.Its probably one of the most difficult decisions I made in my life, Brown told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday. I love the WNBA and was fortunate 20 years ago that Val [Ackerman], David [Stern], Russ [Granik] and Adam [Silver] allowed me to come in at the start of this league. Walking away, its sad but yet joyful at the same time.Brown is one of a handful of people who have remained involved in the league since its beginning in 1997.Twenty years in, people didnt think wed be here, Brown said. I knew we would be. Its been fun watching the talent grow. I think the WNBA has been in great shape from the minute we came here. A lot to do with what the NBA gives the WNBA. From the beginning, I was very confident once the NBA allowed us to put the W in front of its name, wed be well taken care of.In her current role and through her work with the WNBAs competition committee, Brown has directly influenced how the game is played. This season, teams set records for points per game, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage, free throws made, free throw percentage, and assists.Brown has also been involved with USA Basketball since 1996. She has served on its board of directors and chaired the selection committee of the senior national team.Renee has selflessly served USA Basketball as a coach, committee member and passionate supporter, said Carol Callan, director of womens basketball for USA Basketball. She first served as an assistant coach during the historic 1995-96 USA national teams yearlong preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.The U.S. hasnt lost in the Olympics since Brown got involved, winning six consecutive gold medals.Any time I put on a USA T-shirt or a sweatshirt, I put it on with so much pride recognizing were all representing our country, she said.Brown said she let WNBA president Lisa Borders know of her decision at the start of this season.Renees contributions to the WNBAs growth have been immeasurable, Borders said. It has been a pleasure working alongside her during this landmark season, and I will continue to rely on her expertise. She will always be part of the WNBA family.Brown said she will continue to be involved in basketball, joining the Jr. NBA Leadership Council. The Nevada native plans to stay in New York for now.My goal is to stay in New York and look for other opportunities involved in the game, sports or women empowerment, Brown said. Take the skills Ive learned here and use them somewhere else. Its an exciting time for me. I thought Id be here three to four years. Twenty years later, Im here and its been great. Im looking forward to my next journey. Andres Guardado Jersey . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Edson Alvarez Jersey . It was hard for Luck to pull off another comeback, or even get into the end zone, while standing on the sideline. Rivers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keenan Allen and Nick Novak kicked four field goals to give the Chargers a 19-9 victory against the Colts on Monday night. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/marco-fabian-mexico-jersey/ . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Miguel Layun Jersey . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. Carlos Salcedo Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. WIMBLEDON -- Three hours before Fridays Centre Court match, Juan Martin del Potro strolled through the deserted grounds.On his way to the practice courts, the 6-foot-6 Argentine laughed with two members of his team, waggling his plastic-wrapped racket with his left hand.He didnt seem to have a care in the world. In truth, no current player with his extraordinary skill set has suffered more heartache as a result of his own fragile body.Since winning the US Open seven years ago, del Potro has endured no fewer than four surgeries on his left and right wrists. It has been three years since he last played here, reaching the 2013 semifinals at the All England Club.Im enjoying tennis again, del Potro said after winning his first match earlier this week. Im starting to talk about tennis and no more about my wrist. Thats important.Incredibly, with very little ramp-up, del Potros wrist and tennis are both officially top-10 ready. He scorched/stunned/slammed No. 4 seed Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 to advance to the third round. Wawrinka is the highest seed to exit the mens tournament thus far.To say he is ahead of schedule would be a gross understatement.Del Potros hands were still shaking when he stepped off the court and into the BBC interview area. He called it his most emotional victory ever.It feels amazing sensation for me at the moment, del Potro said with feeling. I beat one of the guys whos playing great tennis. I couldnt expect this victory today. I am very, very happy.It was a delicious and uncommon second-round matchup between two former Grand Slam champions, given del Potros layoff-induced ATP ranking of No. 165. While Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have monopolized the majors, winning 43 singles titles, these are two of the other four active players to experience a Slam victory.Del Potros formidable right-handed forehand -- the one that unstrung Federer in that 2009 US Open final -- can still be, quite literally, breathtaking. In a first-round match against Stephane Robert, del Potros first Grand Slam appearance in 29 months, it sometimes drew gasps from the knowledgeable crowd on Court 12.Del Potros flat, two-handed backhand was once one of the games best. Now, it is a ghost, a drastically reduced one-handed shot that is invariably sliced. There are times when, under duress, he instinctively uses both hands, but you can feel his hesitation, his fear of a relapse.Im not having all my confidence on my backhands yet, he allowed. And thats tough when you play against the top guys because theey are so good players and they are strong enough to play in the fifth set matches.ddddddddddddIm expecting be better in the future, but for this year, my biggest challenge could be finish healthy and ready to make a good preparation for the next year.Against Wawrinka, del Potros serve and the forehand were in vintage form. Forty percent of del Potros serves were unreturnable. His fastest serve: 135 mph. In two matches, he has hit 26 forehand winners -- against only one on the backhand side.As we all said, its great for the tennis to see him back, a disconsolate Wawrinka said in his postmatch news conference. You see already, he beat some good players. His backhand is still struggling because he cannot play completely, but on this grass the slice is still difficult.In the first set, he squandered two break-point opportunities but converted one of two in the second. In the third, he played a pristine tiebreaker, while Wawrinka melted down, throwing in a double fault and a bad forehand error at the end.After my third surgery, I was really sad, sitting at home, del Potro said. This is like my second or third career in my life, and now I am enjoying. Its a great sensation for me, and I feel alive.I could not expect to be in third round of Wimbledon after three years. And now to the end [of the tournament], everything is very positive. I am in a good way to be[ing] 100 percent.Del Potro slipped and fell near the end of the first set and stayed down along the baseline for a minute or so. Slowly unspooling his long body, he gingerly got to his feet. Thats how most people thought it was going to be this year for del Potro.Rather, this result is a bolt of lightning for mens tennis. If he can beat a two-time major champion with one hand tied behind his back, what will he do with two healthy hands?At 27, del Potro is still relatively young; Wawrinka won his first Grand Slam, the 2014 Australian Open, two months shy of his 29th birthday and his second, last years French Open, at 30.For now, he will continue to fight the urge to be aggressive.I believe on myself, I believe on my wrist, del Potro said. I would like to get better faster than Im doing now, but that could be dangerous for my body. Im working hard mentally, too, because I have to deal with some pains and some frustrations when I want to hit a good backhands and I cannot do it.I hope to be ready for being aggressive player on next season. ' ' '