FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. Cheap MLB Jerseys Black Friday . D.J. AUGUSTIN (Raptors): He needs to get it going at the back-up point guard spot. He has struggled with his shot and yet to hit a three in four games and seems hesitant, as well. Hes having a difficult time going north-south and attacking the defence in the lane with the play-making dribble. On the other hand, he makes the safe plays and keeps the team functioning in terms of its game plan like a back-up QB in football - manage the game and be solid. Hes capable and has shown he can do that. I guess the question remains, what else does he have in his game at this point to enhance and improve the 48-minute profile of that spot along with Kyle Lowry? Raptors fans patiently await a clearer picture of how he develops into this role. If he continues to play this way, change wouldnt surprise me in the least. 2. MONTA ELLIS (Mavs): Playing with a guy that attracts consistent double teams in Dirk Nowitzki and a pure point guard in Jose Calderon next to him is helping. I was really impressed with his 30-point, nine-assist evening last night against the Lakers. Hes got a good system and excellent coach for him to play for right now in Rick Carlisle. Hes always been a gifted scorer, but when I see him play with efficiency and smarts, I see a maturing player in the right spot for him. 3. PAUL GEORGE (Pacers): Talk about a guy making that next step in his growth. He had 31 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against the Pistons last night. Hes the main guy now in Indy and when you evaluate his improvement, so much of it stems from last years injury to Danny Granger and the need for him to respond to the bigger role. He did just that and the Pacers organization now has a keeper. I love his size, skill, poise and work ethic. He has good pieces around him and doesnt have to carry his team, yet hes showing more and more that you can count on him to be consistent and, more importantly, good-to-very good on most nights. 4. KEMBA WALKER (Bobcats): I loved this guy in college at Connecticut and hes coming into his own under coach Steve Clifford. Hes an undersized scoring point guard who has a huge heart and a wonderful competitive drive. Hes got that gamer mentality that I respect. Hes quick, gets in the lane and makes plays. He seems to be settling down and picking his spots a little bit better and his awareness level and reads have been upgraded. He leaves it all out there for you. 5. JERRYD BAYLESS (Grizzlies): Having seen him in person and watched some other games of the former Raptor, I feel hes finally settling into the role Ive always felt was his niche as a pro guard as the combo third guard. He can play both guard spots and has skills in each category you want. We know he can score and when he puts his mind to it, hes an effective playmaker. At times, when he was less experienced, he would try to do way too much and didnt trust his teammates and forced the action. I see him as a guy who has now come to grips with his role - he knows it and accepts it and is no longer fighting it. Its progress for sure for a valuable piece on your second Unit. Hes highly competitive with a great work ethic and a very proud guy who holds himself to a high standard. The Grizzlies will need him to give a positive jolt of scoring and leadership each night with their second unit. Cheap NHL Jerseys Black Friday . Team Canada captured its third gold medal in the past four world championships, beating Swedens Jalle Jungnell 4-3 on Saturday at the Ice Cube Curling Center in Sochi, Russia, in the final of the 2013 World Wheelchair Curling Championship. . -- The Minnesota Vikings have ruled wide receiver Percy Harvin out of their game at Green Bay on Sunday because of a sprained left ankle. [url=http://www.cheapnfldiscountjerseys.com/Nike-nfl-jerseys/]http://www.cheapnf... . Lately, hes doing something with them. Bruce homered his first time up, then doubled twice during a seven-run burst as the Cincinnati Reds delighted a sellout crowd, battering the Milwaukee Brewers 13-7 on Saturday. [url=http://www.cheapnfljerseys2015.us.com/NIKE-NFL-JERSEYS_SAN-FRANCISCO-49ERS-... San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . Laura Fortino scored and Shannon Szabados made 24 saves as Canada defeated the U.S. 1-0 in an exhibition game Saturday night. The game was a tune-up for both teams as they prepare for the world championship in Burlington, Vt. . Rose sounded off after a 104-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday, saying hes "got to be the only superstar in the league thats going through what Im going through right now. MANCHESTER, England -- Aggrieved at the severity of Luis Suarezs 10-match ban for biting an opponent, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a robust defence of the striker Thursday and said the punishment was given "against the man rather than the incident." Suarez was hit with one of English footballs longest suspensions for on-pitch misbehaviour after biting Branislav Ivanovic during Liverpools 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. "He has a sanction that doesnt really fit what he did," Rodgers said. "I cant help but look at it and look at the sanction thats been put on Luis for the incident, and honestly feel the punishment has been against the man rather than the incident. Thats my underlying feeling." Backing up his theory, Rodgers cited a similar offence committed in 2006 by Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who only received a yellow card. Defoe escaped further punishment because the referee saw the incident at the time, meaning the incident couldnt be looked at retroactively. In the same year, Chesters Sean Hessey was banned for five matches for a bite on Stockports Liam Dickinson in a lower-league match in England. "For him (Suarez) to receive that when other comparisons of similar instances is somewhat different, is hard to take," Rodgers said. "It is the severity of the ban that has hurt most. That is something we are bitterly disappointed with." A disciplinary panel ruled that a regular three-match ban for violent conduct was "clearly insufficient" and added seven games to Suarezs suspension, which rules him out for the rest of the campaign and for the first six matches of next season. Suarez has until Friday to appeal against the extra seven games added to his sanction. The Uruguay international, who was fined by Liverpool after admitting to biting Ivanovic, was banned for seven matches in 2010 for a simmilar offence while playing for Ajax against PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league. [url=http://www.orgcheapjerseys.com/cheap-nba-jerseys_denver-nuggets-jersey/]Che... Denver Nuggets Jerseys. That incident earned him the "Cannibal of Ajax" nickname. Suarez was also suspended for eight games in December 2011 for making racist insults toward Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a match. "I think on reflection, whenever you look at it in the cold light of day, it was violent conduct. The football club admitted it, Luis admitted it -- he understood he needed to be punished," Rodgers said. "But I think we have a punishment with absolutely no intention toward helping a rehabilitation of the player. Thats whats disappointing. Maybe he needs a bit of help." Critics say Rodgers is in danger of making Suarez the victim in the case, just like Liverpool did in the racism controversy involving Evra when the club was heavily criticized. However, Rodgers is unceasing in his backing of the Premier Leagues second-highest scorer this season with 23 goals. "He hasnt let me down one bit, not at all," Rodgers said. "I believe if I had half-a-dozen players with the similar mentality we would be in a different position as a club. "He fell way below the standards set at the club but it doesnt mean he should be thrown to the garbage, which is what has happened with a lot of people in the last few days. He is working tirelessly, him and his family, to fit into the way of life in this country." Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina said Thursday the length of Suarezs suspension is "absurd, out of proportion and unfair." "He is being treated differently, I dont know if its because hes Uruguayan or because hes had a previous episode like this," Reina told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. "It seems that the people making the decisions have got it in for Luis a little bit. Thats the way I see it." ' ' '