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SAN ANTONIO -- In the first NBA Finals game of his reign as the leagues commissioner, Adam Silver had to deal with a sweltering arena. Mike McGlinchey Super Bowl Jersey . Compared to what hes gone through in recent weeks, that seemed like a breeze. Speaking to The Associated Press on Friday at an NBA Cares event, Silver said hes thrilled that the leagues attention can be on the championship series between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs -- and not, as it was for so much of the post-season, on the off-the-court matters involving the banishment of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and now the looming sale of that franchise. "No question," Silver said. "In fairness to all the players and the teams, they worked so hard to get to this moment and a hot building is part of the competition in essence. And all those other things that weve been talking about the last several weeks are not." Posing for photos with Spurs players, coach Gregg Popovich, general manger R.C. Buford and others, Silver was all smiles when the ceremonial red ribbon was cut at the leagues latest "Learn & Play Center" at a San Antonio elementary school. Its the 897th time that the league has been involved with opening a facility like that, and another similar event will be held in Miami when the series shifts there next week. Silver made no prediction, other than saying he thinks the Heat-Spurs matchup could be a long series. He also said he was satisfied that the air conditioning issues that overshadowed Game 1 have been cleared up and will not affect play when the series resumes in San Antonio on Sunday night. "We learn something new all the time," Silver said. "The league checklist continues to get longer, the things that we need to ensure are functioning properly before games." The Sterling matter was Silvers first true test since taking over for David Stern as commissioner, and many players raved about his response, both in terms of message and swiftness. Silver barred Sterling for life after the longtime owner acknowledged making racist comments on tape, plus fined him $2.5 million. Now, the Sterling matter looks to be essentially over. The Clippers are poised to be sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion, and Sterlings attorney said earlier this week that issues between Sterling and the NBA will be resolved without need for a lawsuit -- a decision that basically clears the biggest hurdle that would have precluded a sale. "Im pleased and proud that the attention is on the greatest basketball in the world," Silver said. Joe Staley Super Bowl Jersey . -- Chris Jones and Louisville have done a tremendous job protecting the basketball this season and thats led to easy victories. Kentavius Street Super Bowl Jersey . "Last year we were in a ton of situations, late-game situations we couldnt pull out. Wed kind of fold under the pressure, get frustrated or let a big shot frustrate us," guard DeMar DeRozan said. https://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Tevin-Coleman-Jersey/ . People familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Friday that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz could issue his decision this weekend.This week, collegiate players from across Canada participated in three regional combines in Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto. Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. TSNs Duane Forde gives his thoughts on this weeks regionals, who impressed and who to look out for in Toronto this weekend. EDMONTON - Twenty-one draft eligible players participated in Mondays Edmonton regional combine with five of them advancing to the national combine in Toronto. The most impressive among them was Simon Fraser receiver Tore Corrado. Having established himself more as a kick returner than as a receiver at the NCAA Division II-level, Corrados quickness is his greatest strength. His skill set gives him an opportunity to be an effective player on the bigger Canadian field. Corrados SFU teammate Dylan Roper turned scouts heads early in the day when he hoisted 225 lbs. 26 times. The defensive end clinched his trip to Toronto in the one-on-one drills, where his quickness off the edge and non-stop motor were evident. The Regina Rams also had two players promoted to the main combine in guard Kyle Paterson and defensive end Michael Dadzie. The latter hails from the athletic hotbed of Brampton, Ontario and, although he wasnt a full-time starter for the Rams, he possesses a combination of strength and speed that intrigues scouts. Paterson hopes to continue following in the footsteps of fellow Weyburn, Saskatchewan natives and U of R products Brendon LaBatte and Brett Jones. He topped the bench press test with 27 reps and was clearly the most athletic O-lineman in attendance. Rounding out the national combine invitees was rock solid Manitoba linebacker Thomas Miles, who tested well and brings an element of physical play to the table. My honourable mentions from the Edmonton regional go to scrappy Manitoba receiver Andrew Smith, who combines good leaping ability with a willingness to compete in the air for every ball, and Calgary kicker John Mark, who wasnt as accurate as usual, but hit the ball well on every field goal attempt. MONTREAL - There were twenty-seven draft eligible performers among the participants at Wednesdays Montreal regional combine, five of whom earned their way to the national event. Nigel Romick of Saint Marys distinguished himself in a very competitive defensive line group, testing very well across the board and showing great versatility by taking one-on-one reps at tackle, end and even linebacker. Sherbrooke receiver Francis Lapointe, one of the favourites among scouts entering the combine, lived up to his advance billing, running solid pass routes and tying for the fastest 40-yard dash of the day. Two running backs with very different skill sets will also be moving on to the national stage. Bruising fullback Alexandre Dupuis of the Montreal Carabins came back last fall from injuries to both knees that had wiped out his 2012 campaign and continued to impress with his work ethic and toughness. Jerry Rice Super Bowl Jersey . Meanwhile, Lavals shifty Guillaume Bourassa, who has always had to share time in the crowded Rouge et Or backfield, shone as both a receiver and blocker. Performing on the Concordia University field that he has called home for the last four years, Stingers linebacker Travis Bent also punched his ticket to Toronto. The native of Ajax, Ontario was one of the most heavily recruited players in this class coming out of high school. A number of other players also caught my eye in Montreal, led by Mount Allisons Quinn Everett, who shows good potential as an O-lineman after spending the last four years on the defensive side. Defensive linemen Vincent Desloges (Laval), Shaquille Armstrong (Concordia) and Sanmi Adereti (St.FX) all had their moments, as did receivers Nathan Heather and Mike Harrington, while McGill DB Mattey Ossom and Bishops LB Omar Smith-Jackson displayed outstanding athleticism. TORONTO - On Thursday, Toronto was home to the third and final regional combine with 25 draft eligible prospects on hand. Four would ultimately earn promotions to this weekends national combine, led by former St.FX defensive back Raye Hartmann. An AUS All-Star in 2011, Hartmann had sat out the last two seasons, but showed absolutely no signs of rust as the 62" Mississauga, Ontario native was dominant in pass coverage and excelled in testing. Big Queens receiver Scott MacDonell was equally impressive, using his 65", 225 lbs. frame to his advantage in one-on-ones. He runs well for his size and could certainly contribute at the next leavel with most teams, at least occasionally, employing a tight end package. The day got off to a bit of a rough start for Toronto running back Aaron Milton, when he raised some eyebrows by declining to do the bench press test, later citing a shoulder injury. The big back more than made up for it on the field, showing both explosiveness as a ball carrier and receiver, as well as a willingness to get his nose dirty in blocking drills. High-energy defensive end James Tuck of the York Lions snagged the other invitation, combining an impressive level of athleticism with an even more impressive effort level. Winnipeg-born, Texas-raised offensive lineman Tchissakid Player of Northwestern State was a virtual lock to claim a spot at the main combine until a pulled hamstring ruled him out. Strong-legged kicker Zack Medeiros (Western), waterbug receiver Quincy Van De Cruize (Bishops), and hard-working Guelph defensive tackle Jeffery Finley were among several who didnt advance but likely still helped their stock on Friday. ' ' '
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