Teilemarkt Biete » and he loves the competitive edge that I have."

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Lance Stephenson doesnt want to be known as the guy who blew in LeBron James ear. Stephenson said during his introductory news conference Friday in Charlotte hes "a little upset" that the ear-blowing incident in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against Miami is how some people have defined him as a player. "I feel like it overshadowed my play on the court," Stephenson said. "I bring more to the table than just blowing in someones ear. Im a great player." Hornets general manager Rich Cho agrees, which is why the club signed Stephenson to a three-year, $27 million contract Friday. The deal includes a team option for the third season. Cho says the 23-year-old Stephenson brings competitiveness, scoring ability, a defensive presence and a wealth of playoff experience — all things the Hornets need to take the next step and become a perennial playoff contender. "I think hell be a great fit," Cho said. The Hornets, who ranked near the bottom of the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage last season, expect Stephenson will help them in that area. Stephenson shot 35 per cent from beyond the arc last season. He also proved versatile in other ways. He led the NBA with five triple-doubles and posted career highs in points (13.6), rebounds (6.9) and assists (4.2). But Stephensons intense competitiveness also has a dark side. He was called for 17 technical fouls last season — third-most in the NBA — and was also involved in a practice scuffle with teammate Evan Turner. Hes been known to talk trash, occasionally taking himself out of the game and hurting his team. Hornets coach Steve Clifford is well aware of that, but after doing some background checks — even going back to talk to his high school coaches — he felt good about bringing Stephenson into a locker room that boasted great chemistry last season. "Whats the old saying? Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness," Clifford said. "I think those things are a byproduct of the fact that he badly wants to win. To be honest, that is one of the things we all liked about him so much." Clifford said Hornets owner Michael Jordan addressed those issues with Stephenson in a meeting Tuesday night in Las Vegas. "He talked to him about what we can work on — and (Stephenson) knows that," Clifford said. "Lance knows that sometimes he has crossed the line a little bit. But I think he does it out of competitiveness." Stephenson acknowledged he has to mature as a player. But he said after talking to Jordan he knew he wanted to join the Hornets. "He loves my game and what I bring to the table," said Stephenson, who turned down a five-year, $45 million deal to stay in Indiana. "He loves that Im a great passer and I play with my teammates, and he loves the competitive edge that I have." As for the ear-blowing incident, Stephenson stopped short of saying he regretted his actions but explained his intentions. "During the series I was trying to play hard against LeBron and help my team win," Stephenson said. "Im very competitive and I know some of the antics were over the border — but I was just trying to do whatever it takes to win." Stephenson said that off the court, hes funny and likes to fool around with teammates and friends. On the court, hes as intense as they come and says "I have no friends" on the opposing team. For the Hornets, landing Stephenson is a sign the organization is headed in the right direction. This marks the second straight year theyve landed a big-name free agent after agreeing to a three-year, $41 million deal with centre Al Jefferson last summer. "It shows this is a great free agent destination," Cho said. Custom Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys . The roster changes have been constant and continuous since late last year, but even with their 46-man roster set for the start of the season, the banged-up Bombers will be kicking off Week 1 with a handful of fresh faces and back-ups in the starting lineup. Justin Jones Jersey . made a diving catch in left field for the final out in a 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins in a regular-season finale Sunday. Zimmermann (14-5) allowed only two baserunners, finishing with 10 strikeouts and one walk in the fifth no-hitter in the majors this year. http://www.chargersfansofficial.com/derwin-james-jersey/ . - Zac Leslie scored two goals and assisted on two more, and Justin Nichols made 34 saves as the Guelph Storm blanked the Kitchener Rangers 6-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday. Justin Jones Chargers Jersey . No, the San Antonio star didnt announce retirement plans during an off day at the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys . So he and his Toronto FC teammates say they will have no problem getting up for their Amway Canadian Championship final against rival Montreal Impact, even if the result doesnt count toward Major League Soccer standings. MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have moved into the home stretch of their search for a head coach and Cincinnati defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer has emerged as a favourite. John Wooten, the executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, said in a phone interview on Monday that Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told him last week the teams plan was to contact finalists for the job by Tuesday. According to an NFL Network report on Saturday, Zimmer was scheduled to travel to Minnesota on Monday and meet with Vikings officials for a second interview Tuesday. The alliance, based in Washington, is designed to promote candidate development for coaching, front office and scouting jobs in the NFL. The FPAs strategic efforts include advocacy for and marketing of the hiring and promotion of minorities among NFL teams, and one of Wootens protegees is Arizona defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles, another strong candidate for Minnesota. Bowles spoke with Spielman in Arizona last week, and Wooten said Spielman told him the interview went well. "He was thoroughly, thoroughly impressed. Thats the way I would describe it," Wooten said. Wooten said on Monday afternoon that he had not yet heard from Spielman about a second interview for Bowles. The Vikings began the week one of four teams left without a head coach, joining Cleveland, Detroit and Tennessee. The Lions, according to Wootens conversation with general manager Martin Mayhew, were also moving toward a concclusion, with a similar plan to invite finalists to Michigan on Monday or Tuesday for further talks with team brass.dddddddddddd Another candidate working with Wooten is former Indianapolis coach and current Baltimore offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell, who has previously interviewed with the Lions. "We think that Jim is right in the thick of this thing," Wooten said. One of Spielmans favourite terms is "due diligence." His public declaration when the process began was that he wouldnt let a particular category, circumstance or deadline limit his options for Leslie Fraziers successor. Spielman, though, said his preference was to make the hire prior to the Senior Bowl, a prime period of draft prospect evaluation for coaching staffs around the league. Practices for the annual college all-star game in Mobile, Ala., begin next week. The Vikings arent publicizing any information about the search. Zimmers agent, David Dunn, didnt immediately return messages left on Monday. Theyve already interviewed, according to various reports: Seattle offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell, Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn, Cleveland defensive co-ordinator Ray Horton, San Francisco offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman and San Francisco defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, in addition to Bowles and Zimmer. With the Seahawks and 49ers playing this Sunday for the NFC championship, the Vikings couldnt talk to any of those four candidates again until next week. Cheap Barcelona Jerseys Authentic Cheap Real Madrid Jerseys China Cheap Bayern Munich Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Dortmund Jerseys Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys Cheap USWNT Jerseys China Cheap France Jerseys Cheap Mexico Jerseys Wholesale Germany Jerseys Cheap Belgium Jerseys Cheap Brazil Jerseys Colombia Jerseys From China Wholesale England Jerseys Wholesale France Jerseys Cheap Germany Jerseys Wholesale Italy Jerseys Cheap Mexico Jerseys Cheap Portugal Jerseys Cheap South Africa Jerseys Wholesale Spain Jerseys Wholesale France Jerseys Wholesale Germany Jerseys Wholesale Mexico Jerseys Wholesale Colombia Jerseys Cheap Belgium Jerseys Authentic Cheap Brazil Jerseys Cheap Argentina Jerseys Authentic Cheap Spain Jerseys Cheap Belgium Jerseys China Cheap Mexico Jerseys Authentic ' ' '