said, Were not going to treat him any different

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss standout moments from the NHL and NBA Drafts, the Coyotes speaking frankly and FIFAs famous foam. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star: My thumb is up to the NBA. Heres why. The NBA draft is a show about possibilities, and thats fun. Then, Thursday night, midway through the first round, Adam Silver stopped the proceedings to tell a story about a prospect named Isaiah Austin, whose career ended last week after he was diagnosed with a disease called Marfan Syndrome. Then Silver stepped up to make Austin a ceremonial pick on behalf of the entire Association. They took a moment about the cruel end of possibility, and the NBA made it beautiful. Best moment in draft history, hands down. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is up to Don Maloney, general manager of the newly named Arizona Coyotes - and yeah, that sounds weird - for his unusual honesty in explaining why the club has chosen to buy out top-line centre, Mike Ribeiro. Normally youd get a little “blah blah blah” from an NHL GM on why a player was being let go. But Maloney was more than clear here: he said the team didnt want to put up with Ribeiros behavioral issues, could not tolerate them going forward and could not have him part of the team anymore. The Coyotes, who couldnt afford lunch a year or two ago let alone buying someone out, will be paying Ribeiro $2 million a year for the next six years just to go away. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to one of the great sporting advances of the past decade. Baseballs expanded replay? Advanced stats? Heck, no. Im talking about the so-called felony foam world cup referees have been spraying on the field to mark the spot for free kicks and, more importantly, delineate where defenders can set their wall. This low-tech marvel, which looks like shaving cream and dissipates in a minute, eliminates time wasting and the inevitable cheating by defenders who try to creep closer to the spot. While baseball needed a replay room in New York, FIFA found an inexpensive way to literally lay down the law. The gimmick belongs in the sports hall of foam. Sorry. Dave Naylor, TSN: My thumb is up to the sons of athletes who chose their own path to make a name for themselves. Im refering to the selection of Elfrid Payton Jr. in this weeks NBA Draft, going 10th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Payton is the son of CFL Hall-of-Famer Elfrid Payton - better known as SWAC to some - who played for five CFL teams including Baltimore, Montreal and Winnipeg. Like recent NHL draft picks Darnell Nurse and Seth Jones - whose fathers played in the CFL and NBA respectively - Payton put his good athletic genes to use in another sport. Its always a nice story to see a young athlete follow in his fathers footsteps. But its a little more interesting to see them go their own way. Jason Pierre-Paul Buccaneers Jersey . Lowry and the Raptors officially announced a four-year US$48 million dollar deal Thursday. The deal was reported last week but couldnt be made official until Thursday, when the moratorium on signings was lifted. "They were real factors. I did my homework. Jordan Whitehead Buccaneers Jersey . - On the night Dirk Nowitzki overtook Dominique Wilkins on the career scoring list, Brandan Wright was a human highlight film all by himself. http://www.shopbuccaneersauthentic.com/Youth-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-Elite-Jersey/ . The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics finished their recent trek at 3-1 on Monday in Salt Lake City when Rajon Rondo made a key jumper with 24.1 seconds remaining, as Boston held off the Utah Jazz, 107-102, at EnergySolutions Arena. John Lynch Buccaneers Jersey . The Islanders own the fifth pick in the 2014 draft but had until June 1 to decide whether to keep it or defer to 2015. The selection was packaged in the teams deal for Thomas Vanek on October 27, 2013. Alex Cappa Jersey . Even if he is shooting 38 per cent from the field overall this season, the Utah Jazz rookie always feels like his final shot is going in.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Austin Rivers joined coach Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, and he made it clear hes not expecting any favours from dear old dad.The 22-year-old guard averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds off the bench in 35 games with New Orleans. The Pelicans were 13 1/2 games back in the West standings Friday night, while the Clippers were 6 1/2 behind before they hosted Cleveland.Austin Rivers became the first player in NBA history to play for his father.History, oh great, Doc said beforehand. I dont really care about that. I want to win and make our team better.So does his son.I was really excited because this is a playoff, championship-calibre team, Austin said. I can score the ball and play-make. Thats something the team needs in the second unit.Austin entered the game late in the first quarter and fed a long pass to a fast-breaking Blake Griffin, who dunked.Rivers was scoreless, missing four shots in 11 minutes, with one assist. He came into the game without any practice, having spent the last four days in New Orleans waiting for the trade to be finalized.I was thinking too much, he said afterward. I was trying to be perfect and please everybody.The younger Rivers said he and his father have always done their own things basketball-wise, so he never expected to one day be coached by his dad.Now that I am his coach he has to actually listen to me, Doc joked. Hes probably thinking any kid will listen to their parent if they pay them.ddddddddddddAustin was traded to Boston on Monday and the Celtics immediately dealt him to the Clippers.He fits our team, Doc said. My job is to do what is best for the team. Hes young. Thats one of the reasons we wanted him.His father called Austin to gauge his thoughts on the possibility of coming West.I dont know what tampering is when youre talking to your son, the elder Rivers said.Austin said, The first thing I did was call my mom. She was a wreck the first night.Kris Rivers wondered aloud about how various situations would go. Doc said his wife gave him her blessing, but if she gets upset about how her son is treated, he said, I am not prepared for that.Austin is named after former Notre Dame and Cavaliers star Austin Carr, who shared a hug with Doc before the game. Austin was born in Santa Monica.Austin isnt worried about the reaction in the locker room or his father showing any favouritism to him.When I was 5 years old, we played checkers and he would not let me win, Austin said. My dad would never, ever play me over someone else. I know Chris (Paul) and Blake (Griffin) are the leaders.Griffin said, Were not going to treat him any different than we treat anyone else.The rest of Rivers siblings encouraged him to join them in Los Angeles, and all three showed up at the game: sister Callie and brothers Jeremiah and Spencer.They were like, I think you should do it because its a great opportunity for you, Austin said. I couldnt say no. 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