Carl Banks Jersey from panxing18's blog
Curry returned for Game 4 of the Warriors‘ five-game Western Conference semifinals against Portland two years ago and made 16 of 32 shots with five 3-pointers and scored 17 points in overtime on the way to 40 in a 132-125 victory. He grabbed nine rebounds and dished out eight assists.
If that is any indicator, the New Orleans Pelicans better be ready for a superstar as eager as ever to get back on the court and chase a repeat championship.
The two-time MVP, sidelined since spraining his left knee March 23, is expected to play Tuesday night in Game 2 against New Orleans with what is sure to be a fired-up crowd at Oracle Arena. The Warriors have won a franchise-record 13 straight home playoff games.
In late December against Memphis, Curry came back after being sidelined 11 games with a sprained right ankle to score 38 points with 10 3-pointers.
”I’m not too worried about him. I’ve seen him come back from injuries many times,” coach Steve Kerr said Monday. ”… Sometimes it’s just one shot that gets him going.”
And what a boost Curry’s presence could be for the defending champions who are already clicking on both ends.
”He loves the game just as much as anybody I ever been around and I know he wants to play. I’ve just been thinking about that, just worrying about how he feels not playing,” reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant said. ”… Excited for him to get back just to be in a place where he enjoys most, which is playing ball, and the other stuff, we’ll figure it out. But I’m more so excited as his brother that he’s out there, he gets to play basketball, something that he loves to do.”
The Pelicans prepared all week to see Curry back on the court and they know they must bounce back fast to stay in this best-of-seven series after a 123-101 flop in Saturday night’s Game 1.
Golden State scored 41 points in the second quarter and 76 in the first half – both new franchise-bests for the postseason. The Warriors shot 13 for 20 in the second, making four 3s and 11 of 14 free throws.
While New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry thought his team’s long layoff might have hurt Jimmy Graham Jersey , the players said it was much more.
”We hang our hats on defense,” Rajon Rondo said. ”What happened in the second quarter is inexcusable. I can’t blame it on a week off of rest. It’s a lack of communication and not being disciplined. If we can clean that up, I think we’ll be fine.”
Anthony Davis and Rondo will challenge the Pelicans to play with more intensity on the defensive end. The Warriors thrived when they made things hard on Davis to take shots, got stops and pushed the ball in transition.
”We’re very confident. It’s one game. They win by 40, you win by one, 90, it’s one game,” Davis said. ”It’s still best-out-of-seven. Our job is to learn from what we messed up tonight and get prepared for Game 2.”
The Warriors have taken their defense to another level, led by Durant and Draymond Green – who is coming off a triple-double and has 15, 19 and 18 rebounds in his past three games, respectively.
Golden State also is pushing the pace, a far different game than in the first round against the Spurs.
”We all like to get out in transition,” Warriors guard Shaun Livingston said Monday. ”We can slow it down and we understand to win games we’ll have to execute and maybe win some grind-out games, that’s just part of playoff basketball Chad Henne Jersey , but everybody loves to run.”
Here’s something to know about the Cleveland-Toronto series opener, also Tuesday:
CAVALIERS AT RAPTORS. Game 1, 8 p.m. EDT, TNT
LeBron James just won his fifth straight Game 7 and now the Cavs will face the Raptors for the third consecutive postseason.
Toronto eliminated the Wizards in a six-game first round and now the challenge is stopping LeBron and his supporting cast.
”We understand everything starts and stops with him,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. ”There’s certain things you want to give up with him, there’s certain things you have no choice in the matter. There’s a pecking order as far as what we want to give up, what we live with.”
The Cavs are 8-2 against Toronto the past two postseasons and went 5-2 in matchups during the regular season the past two years.
—
AP Freelance Writer Ian Harrison contributed to this report from Toronto.
—
If you want to get an insight into what makes Eli Manning tick, watch the two-time Super Bowl MVP work with kids at a summer football camp.
Talking about football to three or four dozen attentive young players is something the New York Giants quarterback enjoys, whether the topic is hydration, catching passes, doing things in practice so they become second nature in games, focusing or simply just getting better.
Manning doesn't talk very long. He gets his thoughts across and gets to the stuff he wants to do. He gets a ball from the coaches at the Offense-Defense camp at Kean University and starts throwing little seam routes to players.
After a water break, there is a 7-on-7 drill and Manning hooks up with a receiver deep for a touchdown that will be someone's lifetime memory.
"It's fun to see them get ready for their upcoming season," the 37-year-old Manning said. "They are out here practicing trying to get better and it's fun. Hey Andy Levitre Jersey , I was that kid not too long ago. You kind of still feel you are that kid in the sense of getting ready to go play a game and play football and improve.
"For these guys it's not about going to college. It's about being a good high school player. Hey, I want to be a good NFL player. It's whatever league you are in."
By Manning's count, he will be starting his 23rd training camp when the Giants report for workouts in roughly two weeks. It will be his 15th season with New York, and this one should be interesting.
The Giants have a new coach in Pat Shurmur, a new offense and defense and a revamped roster.
Manning knows there are going to be a lot of questions. Can the team overcome last year's 3-13 record that led to the firing of Ben McAdoo and the hiring of Shurmur? Can they get back to the playoffs? Can he still function being closer to 40 than 30?
They are legitimate questions, but Manning is more concerned with today.
"I am not concerned with two years or how long I play, I am concerned about this year," Manning said.
"I am focused and excited about having a great year this year, making good decisions, running this offense, getting our team ready. That's the focus. That's the concern. That's all. I am excited about it. It's good when you are not worried about the hoopla and all the other things going on. I am worried about doing my job and winning football games."
Manning has been getting ready for this camp like any other. Training has become a year-round job and the techniques are different.
When he was a youngster in New Orleans, hydrating meant going for a swim and drinking a soda. Now, the hydration starts a week before camp begins. Liquid is taken before, during and after practice DeVante Parker Jersey , something that he imparts to the players as a spokesman for Gatorade the past 14 years.
Still, he insists training camp is fun, especially the competition.
"That's the great thing about football," Manning said. "What you did last year doesn't matter, whether good or bad. It's all about what you can do this year. I am excited about the guys we have, the new coaches. I have been texting with the guys and everyone is excited to get rolling and see what we can do this year."
The new offense should be interesting. The line seemingly has been solidified with the addition of left tackle Nate Solder and guard Will Hernandez, the second-round draft pick. Running back Saquon Barkley, the second overall pick, has the potential to be a game breaker.
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is coming off a broken ankle that ended his season in early October, has looked good in some videos from California, where he has been running around shirtless with fellow wide out Sterling Shepard and Barkley making one-handed catches.
"I know they will have to make some adjustments. We do practice with our shirts on with the Giants," Manning quipped.
Manning said the Giants worked hard in the offseason and he is excited to see what happens this year.
Cheap Football Jerseys Shop
The Wall