Gäste Forum » Washingtons run game doesnt have to suffer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Steve Clifford said he isnt one to back down from challenges. That might make him a good fit for Charlotte. The Bobcats are a long way from being a legitimate NBA playoff contender. The team introduced Clifford as their new head coach at a press conference Wednesday. Clifford becomes the Bobcats sixth different coach since the 2006-07 season and inherits a team that went a combined 28-120 over the past two seasons, by far the worst record in the NBA. "Steve has worked quite a few years in this league and we feel very positive with that with our young competitive core that he is the right fit for us," said Rod Higgins, Bobcats president of basketball operations. Clifford said after meeting with Higgins and general manager Rich Cho last week he feels confident they share the same vision for the Bobcats. "When I met with them I left here thinking that the three of us could work very effectively together," Clifford said. His core players includes no big-time NBA stars, but rather young and developing players like four-year NBA veteran Gerald Henderson, second-year veterans Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo and last years rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. That may have scared some coaches away, but not Clifford. He called that foursome "above average competitors," and said thats exactly what he wants from his players. "I think every coach in basketball has his own priorities in terms of judging players, but for me it starts with competitiveness and then skill level, in particular shooting," Clifford said. "Coach (Bill) Parcells once said he wanted guys who are competitive on their own without the aid of coaches and in this league when youre playing four and five nights a week there arent many times you can address the group and have some magic word to get them to play hard. "You either have the right kind of guys or you dont. When you have young guys who are naturally competitive you have the opportunity to build the kind of culture that you want." Clifford said there will be an emphasis on improving the teams defence, pointing out that the top six teams in overall defence this season all reached the quarterfinals of the NBA playoffs. "Any good coach has a clear and definitive vision of how they want their team to play and practice -- and I have that," Clifford said. "I have seen what the right amount of work and the right amount of communication can do for a team.... Yes, I am inexperienced (as a head coach), but Im confident and I know how I want to do it." Clifford comes to Charlotte after spending last season as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to that he spent five seasons (2007-12) working as an assistant under Stan Van Gundy in Orlando. He was also as an assistant coach under Jeff Van Gundy with the Houston Rockets for four years and was an assistant with the New York Knicks for three seasons. This is his first NBA head coaching job. Jeff Van Gundy, who now works as a NBA television analyst, believes Clifford is up to the task of building the Bobcats into a competitive team. The Bobcats have only been the playoffs once and have never won a post-season game. "Steve is the type of guy who can coach young teams that are rebuilding, teams on the verge of the playoffs and experienced teams, I really believe that," Jeff Van Gundy said. "I think he has great people skills and hes a quality basketball coach." The Bobcats made the move to hire Clifford one day before he was slated for a second interview with the Milwaukee Bucks for their coaching vacancy. Clifford replaces Mike Dunlap, who was fired after just one season. "Anytime you make the tough decision to change you want, if at all possible, to address some of the things that you didnt get from your prior" coach, Higgins said. "We felt very good with making the change with Steve to adhere to some of the issues we might have had here, whether its on the court, in the locker room or trying to compete every night. ... I think were getting close to becoming a very good team."Air Force 1 Wholesale . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Air Force 1 Womens On Sale . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. http://www.airforce1storesale.com/fake-air-force-270-outlet.html . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Air Force 1 Grey Discount . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Air Force 1 High On Sale .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers.LONDON -- Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones wont play Sunday, but theres a good chance hell be the only key player sidelined.The three other Redskins players with the biggest question marks -- left tackle Trent Williams, corner Josh Norman and tight end Jordan Reed?-- participated in a light practice Friday. Both Norman and Reed, recovering from concussions, still need to see a doctor again Saturday after their walk-through to determine if theyll be able to play. Reed has missed the last two games, but Norman was hurt last week.All three players are officially listed as questionable. Williams has maintained all week that hell play with a sprained left knee and reiterated that stance Friday. Both Reed and Norman expressed optimism as well.I expect to play, Norman said.I feel great, Reed said.It would be a huge boost for Washington if both could play, especially Norman given that hell cover Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green, who leads the NFL with 50 receptions. Also, the Redskins other starting corner, Bashaud Breeland, missed two game recently because of a sprained ankle and then sprained the other one Sunday against Detroit. He had both ankles heavily taped in practice this week.Jones said he bruised his knee and suffered cartilage damage on his knee during the second quarter against Detroitt.dddddddddddd He did not practice all week and when the Redskins signed Mack Brown off the practice squad Friday, when it became clear that Jones wouldnt play.Robert Kelley?and Chris Thompson will take over for Jones, who has rushed for a team-best 460 yards and three touchdowns. Kelley, an undrafted rookie, will start in his place, but theres a good chance Thompson will have a similar type of game as last week when he carried 12 times and caught seven passes. The Redskins are reluctant to give him more work because of durability concerns. Kelleys career high in carries is five. He has rushed 17 times for 103 yards, with a long of 45, in limited action. Washingtons run game doesnt have to suffer minus Jones; Kelleys ability to plant and cut without hesitation makes him a good fit in this offense, too.Hes ready to go, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said of Kelley. He has a limited amount of work but the reps he has, hes done a good job. He runs hard and he runs physical and he has great vision. Were excited to see what hell do with more reps. Mack had a very strong preseason and that was a tough decision between Rob and Mack [in the final cuts]. Were very comfortable with Mack also. ' ' '