Pau Gasol vs Kobe Bryant Old Teammates Duel 2016.01.28 - Pau With 21 Pts, 12 Rebs, 7 Ast!
In 2014, Pau Gasol chose the Bulls over the Spurs, thinking it gave him a better chance at an NBA title.
Two years later, Gasol chose the Spurs after leaving the Bulls, who are no longer in championship contention.
Gasol has verbally agreed to join the Spurs, a league source confirmed, though contract details are being finalized. The Vertical first reported the news of Gasol"s commitment and said his two-year deal with a player option will be worth $30 million.
Gasol, who turns 36 on Wednesday, earned two All-Star appearances in his two seasons with the Bulls. But the veteran center declined his player option for a third season on June 27 and will make double the amount of that player option with the Spurs.
"As strong as anyone"s," Gasol said in January 2015, when asked how close he came to signing with the Spurs in 2014.
The Knicks and Thunder also pursued Gasol back in that summer. This summer, the Raptors and Trail Blazers were the Spurs" main competition. The Bulls landed their starting center in the Derrick Rose trade in big man Robin Lopez.
Gasol always has had high admiration for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
"It was great to speak with him," Gasol said in January 2015. "I have the utmost admiration for him and respect. Great coach, great person just to have a conversation with. I hope in the future I have more conversations with him."
Gasol will now.
Gasol is set to play in his fourth Olympics this summer with the Spanish national team.
American Flag Nail Art Using Only A Toothpick! || KELLI MARISSA
Two clean T-shirts. Chris Hansen was dressing to meet a guy hed talked to online, and wrestling with which to wear.
One had the words Free Hugs and an image from the B-movie Killer Klowns From Outer Space.
On the other was a large graphic print of the American flag. This was Hansens favorite shirt. By the end of the night, it would, in the eyes of many, define him. The image on his chest would pop across the world, resonating with strangers h**l never meet in ways he never dreamed. He would become the American Flag Guy. This shirt would change his life.
But at this point, all he knew was it looked better with his new denim shorts.
He spritzed up with Bleu de Chanel: neck, wrists, ankles, thighs. He played Britney Spears: Mr. Photographer, I think Im ready for my closeup! Make sure you catch me from my good side!
He pulled the American flag across his chest and left his Orlando apartment, off to a nightclub called Pulse.
Look around you. In this election year, this Olympic year, and especially on the Fourth of July, you will find no symbol more omnipresent than the American flag. We plant it in the earth, wave it at rivals, torch it in protest, watch it oscillate from full to half staff, reflecting our national mood.
And we wear it. Oh, do we Americans love wearing our flag. Theres hardly a boutique, kiosk or truck stop in the land that doesnt sell American flag T-shirts, snapbacks, bikinis or belt buckles. Designers from Givenchy to Polo to Joe Boxer have incorporated the flag. Stars and stripes are like Nike Swooshes, so prevalent we often forget that theyre there.
As a spokeswoman for Marc Jacobs once told the Los Angeles Times: Its an art piece, not a national symbol.
As with all art, the flags meaning is open to interpretation. Some wear it out of deep respect for G*d and country. Some wear it to catch the eye and sell a brand. Some wear it because the colors look rad on a suntan. Some wear it because its the only clean shirt they have left.
Whatever your reason for wearing the flag, know this: 240 years after they first flew above America, the stars and stripes have lost none of their symbolic power.
Weave it into the lining of your leather jacket, like U2s Bono in the aftermath of 9/11, and your image might bring tears to the eyes of millions.
Wear it as a hijab, like Republican Muslim Coalition founder Saba Ahmed during a 2015 appearance on Fox News, and hatemongering trolls will bare their teeth. Dont wear it at all like Barack Obama, who eschewed flag lapel pins during his first run for president and that, too, will stir powerful emotions.
Look around you. The American flag is everywhere, its meaning changing by the minute. The message we send when we wear it says more about us, and our country, than we realize.
Hansen, 32, grew up in a military family. His father, Bill, an Air Force missile technician, drove him to school on bases in Missouri and Wyoming, past formations of jogging troops, to classrooms where hed stand each morning and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Last August, Bills Uncle Frank, a Navy veteran and volunteer firefighter, died. When Chris went to Connecticut for the funeral, he forgot to pack clean shirts. So he went to Walmart, where he found a discount bin of graphic tees for $3 apiece.
There was the Free Hugs T-shirt. Gizmo from Gremlins. This Guy Needs a Beer. The American flag. Hansen bought them all.
Hansen reads his horoscope daily. He believes in fate, in kismet, in the stars aligning for a higher purpose. He knows flags are powerful symbols at 18, he was inspired to come out after seeing Cyndi Lauper wear a rainbow flag in concert and on that weekend, surrounded by his military family, a flag draped across Uncle Franks casket, the stars and stripes spoke to him.
In April, the shirt moved with Hansen from Ohio to Orlando, where he would live with friends for a few months, maybe find a job in hospitality, perhaps at his favorite place on earth, Disney World. Someday he wants to settle down and open a bed and breakfast. But hed settle for waiting tables.
After two months in Florida, that job hadnt come. His savings were dwindling. He hadnt met many new friends.
But he had his favorite shirt. And on the night of June 11, he decided to wear it out dancing.
Were we ever actually meant to wear the American flag?
Title 4, Chapter 1 of the United States Code the section commonly known as the Flag Code does not stutter: The flag should never be used as wearing apparel ... The flag should never be used for advertising purposes ... No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume.
It was under these auspices that Abbie Hoffman, the activist and protester, was arrested in 1968 and charged with desecration after wearing a shirt crafted from the flag. He was found guilty I regret that I have but one shirt to give to my country, he quipped at sentencing but his conviction was overturned on appeal.
Nearly 50 years later, the Flag Code is a toothless doctrine, largely unenforceable after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that what once constituted desecration is now protected speech. Advertising? Walk into any sporting goods store and you will see phrases like Just Do It and Life Is Good rendered in stars and stripes. Costumes? Go to any major music festival and you will see countless young revelers in American flag bodysuits, tutus, f***y packs and fairy wings.
Ray Michael doesnt get it. Hes a Purple Heart recipient, chairman of the Citrus County Veterans Coalition and Flag Code hard-liner. He owns a couple of American flag ties, but doesnt like wearing them. It annoys him to see flags rippling on used car lots, or athletes dripping with stars and stripes at the Olympics.
People will do what they want, he said. But the code is still the code.
Before I went into the military, I knew all this basic stuff, said Michael, 80. But where was I taught it? At home? Or in school? We just dont do that stuff anymore.
The American flag is still a powerful symbol, one worn in more forms today than ever before. But its also just a pattern, a grid of bold colors that go with almost anything. Its cloth.
Then one day the winds of culture shift, and the cloth ripples with it.
Things didnt work out with the guy Hansen came to Pulse to meet, so instead he was mingling near the VIP section, sipping Jack and ginger, feeling just shy of tipsy, when the first shots cracked through the club. He saw bodies jerk and jolt and hit the floor. He dropped in a panic and crawled to a patio, where escapees were pushing down a fence.
He zigged and zagged away, recalling advice his father passed down from his Air Force training: Duck, bob and weave. They cant hit a moving target.
He saw a man lugging a victim; Hansen plugged the wound with a bandana and helped him to safety. They passed a woman who had been shot in the back and was struggling to breathe, and they carried her away as Hansen peppered her with questions to keep her calm.
Where are you from?
Ohio.
Whats your sign?
Taurus.
Whats your favorite animal?
Lion.
Hakuna matata, he told her, quoting The Lion King. When you come out of this alive, get that tattoo: Hakuna matata. Because youre a survivor. It means no worries. No matter what happens to you, you can brush it off.
The woman lived.
Police pushed everyone down the street toward Orlando Regional Medical Center. Hansen encountered a mother texting her son, who was still hiding inside the clubs bathroom. He had thought of hiding in the same bathroom. They hugged.
Hansen was alone. His wallet and car were still back at Pulse. His phone was dying. The guy hed come to meet had left hours earlier. All around him, people were panicking, and no one knew what was going on.
Hansen walked toward a gathering scrum of media.
What if that was my brother? he thought. What if that was my sister? What if that was my family or friend in there?
During those first chaotic hours, Hansens eyewitness accounts beamed around the world and lit up social media. Relatives across the country watched on TV, grateful he was safe. He stayed until daylight, until he couldnt take the questions anymore, though he would return the next day.
It was hours before anyone noticed his T-shirt.
Youre a hero, his brother Duane told him. Youre an American man in an American flag T-shirt. You were helping people. You were showing people that America is going to stick together and stay strong, and theyre not going to defeat us.
Watching from his home in Lonoke, Ark., Bill Hansen marveled at his sons presence of mind.
How many people would be able to say that they did everything they possibly could until they couldnt do it anymore? he said. That was him.
The next time you see someone wearing the American flag, ask them why.
You might meet Chris Wauben, 43, a musician from Holiday who calls himself the American Flag Running Man. He jogs up and down Clearwater Beach in red, white and blue apparel, waving a flag, promoting various charities.
I know it sounds cheesy, but its amazing to see how much happiness it brings, he said. So many people say they really need more of this.
You might meet Doug Hughes, the 62-year-old Ruskin postman sentenced to prison for landing a gyrocopter on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. He reported to the federal detention center in Miami wearing an American flag T-shirt.
Im as much a patriot as millions of other Americans, he said. To me, its not a protest statement to wear the flag and say that what Im after is the restoration of the kind of government that we were promised when we went to school.
You might meet Peter Chianchiano, 68, a veteran from Spring Hill who fears the flag, like America itself, is in grave danger.
Look on TV. You can see them burning the flag, and theyre holding up a foreign flag, a Mexican flag, Chianchiano said outside a Donald Trump rally, flag pins on both lapels of his camouflage fatigues. Ive seen it hang upside down in Los Angeles. Ive seen them spit on it. Ive seen them throw it on the ground and stomp on it. And, of course, we see it burn, and then we see foreign flags raised.
You might meet Anish Diwikar, a 28-year-old immigrant who wore a stars-and-stripes tank top to Tampas Sunset Music Festival in May.
Its not about being Indian or being American, said Diwikar, a programmer living in Florida on a work visa. Its all about celebration. When I go back to my country, I can show the pictures of enjoying the fest, and being dressed in the flag of the United States.
You might meet Katrina Dobrov, who has walked the halls of Plant High School in her most patriotic ensemble white stars on red above stripes of blue and white, the word DREAM in red sequins on her back as classmates called her Captain America.
Its important to understand that what you wear doesnt necessarily define you, said Katrina, 16. But it can define your beliefs.
Back at his apartment, Hansen scrubbed the blood beneath his nails, exhausted but unable to sleep. He wanted to know more about the shooting, but the news was unbearable. He could barely stand to check Facebook.
All he knew to do was keep talking. His photo would appear on the front pages of countless newspapers, including this one. He would speak to Matt Lauer and Nancy Grace and wrestler Mick Foley. Gov. Rick Scott would give him a medal. Hillary Clinton would mention him in a speech. Mourners at vigils would surround and embrace him.
The bold T-shirt that made Hansen so recognizable also would make him a target. Conspiracy theorists would pick at his story in videos. They would call him a plant, an actor in a false-flag hoax perpetrated by the FBI or CIA in service of some LGBT agenda.
Part of him never wanted to see his T-shirt again. It was rank with blood and sweat, spilled drinks and souring cologne, traces of a long, trying night h**l never shake. He thought about trashing it.
But Hansen kept thinking about his father and Uncle Frank and other relatives who lived to fight for flag and country. He was now caught in a fight of his own, one for the equality and safety of the LGBT community.
Tossing his shirt might help erase the nightmare of that night. But it would also dispose of the love he carried and witnessed while wearing it.
You dont throw away love, he thought.
He soaked his American flag T-shirt in detergent, vinegar, scent beads and OxiClean. Into the wash it went. A few faint stains wouldnt budge. But it came out feeling like new.
Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Contact Jay Cridlin at cridlin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8336. Follow @JayCridlin.
A firework that exploded when a 19-year-old unwittingly stepped on it Sunday in Central Park, seriously injuring his left foot, didn"t appear to be designed to intentionally hurt people, police officials said.
The injured man has been identified as Connor Golden, a 19-year-old University of Miami student from Fairfax, Va.
A statement issued by the University of Miami said: "The University of Miami"s thoughts and prayers are with Connor Golden as he recovers from this horrific accident that took place in Central Park Sunday morning. We will provide Connor and his family with complete support through his recovery and rehabilitation."
A relative told reporters that Golden had part of his injured leg amputated.
The homemade gadget was like an "explosive experiment" that was probably designed to "make a large noise, maybe make a flash," concocted by someone with a basic understanding of chemistry, said Lt. Mark Torre, commanding officer of the New York Police Department"s bomb squad.
There was no evidence that the explosion was related to terrorism and there were no specific, credible threats on New York over the July Fourth weekend, the authorities said.
The injured man was walking in the park with two friends when he stepped on a rock covering the explosive. He was undergoing surgery to his left foot at a hospital and was in stable condition, fire officials said.
Investigators don"t believe the man who stepped on it or his friends are responsible for creating the explosive and officials asked that anyone with information about it contact the police.
"We"ve seen a lot of experimentation with homemade fireworks," Torre said, adding the Central Park explosive may have been designed to go off at an earlier time, even a day before, but for whatever reason did not.
The 11 a.m. blast on the east side of Central Park could be heard for blocks, leaving some with the belief that it was part of a July Fourth celebration.
Tourist John Murphy, visiting the city from Connecticut, stayed with the injured man until emergency responders arrived and placed a tourniquet on his leg.
"His left leg was severely damaged, all bone and muscle," said Murphy.
Mayor Bill de Blasio sent out a tweet reminding people to stay safe around fireworks.
"Fireworks are fun but let"s leave them to the professionals," the mayor tweeted.
Tyler Johnson 24 Points/6 Assists Full Highlights (3/7/2015)
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) NBA teams are giving out high salaries like hotcakes.
Tyler Johnson, who was undrafted two years ago, is about to become a $50 million man.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Johnson has agreed to sign a $50 million, four-year offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets later this week.
The talks are ongoing and nothing is finalized, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until Thursday. Once its signed, the Miami Heat the team that Johnson has played with for the last two seasons would have three days to match the terms, which would appear unlikely given the way the deal is currently structured.
Johnson would make about $6 million annually in the first two years of the deal, then average about $19 million in each of the final two years of the contract. He met with several teams in Chicago in the past few days before making his decision.
Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement.
The Heat agreed to terms on a four-year, $98 million contract with center Hassan Whiteside on Friday, and Whiteside quickly congratulated Johnson on the still-not-completed deal when word came Sunday of the agreement.
Whiteside wrote, man i going to miss you bro.
Johnson responded, crazy how the world works.
Johnson made an average of about $500,000 in each of his first two NBA seasons, yet in this never-before-seen era of a massive $94.1 million salary cap for this coming season with more increases to come he will soon become locked into life-changing money.
Johnson was undrafted out of Fresno State two years ago and has averaged 7.4 points in 68 games with the Heat over two seasons. Johnson shot 49 percent last season, up from 42 percent in his rookie year.
(TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Tyler Johnson 24 Points/6 Assists Full Highlights (3/7/2015)
South Carolina sophomore pitcher Tyler Johnson has made the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, earning a spot on the 24-man roster after receiving an invitation to training camp.
There were 31 players invited to training camp before seven were cut.
Its a real honor to make the squad and be able to travel across the world with these guys, Johnson told The State. Its a really special thing to be included with Team USA. You build relationships that hopefully youll remember for a while.
Johnson and Team USA will take part in three international friendship series this summer with trips to Taiwan, Japan and Cuba for five-game series.
Team USA will face Chinese Taipei on July 5-9, Japan on July 12-17 and Cuba on July 23-27. This will be Johnsons first trip to Asia.
The furthest Ive been is Honduras for a church mission trip back in high school. Im really excited to travel across the world, he said. Asia has always been a place Ive wanted to go and see what its like, visit a different culture. Im really excited for that.
The Collegiate National Team is currently playing in California and is 2-0-1 with a win and tie against the Santa Barbara Forresters and a win over the Urban Youth Academy Barons.
Johnson has pitched 12/3 innings for Team USA thus far and allowed one run, but hasnt allowed a hit. Team USA has played games in Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium.
The stadiums are unreal, very nice, he said. These ball clubs are really nice to let us come in here and play on their turf. Its a really special thing to play in these amazing ballparks.
Johnson is the 11th South Carolina player to play for the Collegiate National Team, joining Grayson Greiner, Jackie Bradley Jr., Justin Smoak, Matt Campbell, Landon Powell, Adam Everett, Jason Haynie, Jared Baker, Brian Williams and Dave Hollins.
This past season the righty went 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 29 appearances. He struck out 59 batters in 52 innings and opponents hit .187 against him.
Johnson led the SEC in saves in conference games with eight and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2016 Columbia Regional.
The grand finale of the 2016 Bay City Fireworks Festival
Cuba celebrates the Fourth of July this Sunday, July 3rd. The annual fireworks display was over Cuba Lake with volunteers working in the center of the lake to launch the fireworks.
Tyler Johnson Highlights [HD] Almost Famous Part I
Tyler Johnson, who was undrafted two years ago, is about to become a $50 million man.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Johnson has agreed to sign a $50 million, four-year offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets later this week.
The talks are ongoing and nothing is finalized, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until Thursday. Once its signed, the Miami Heat - the team that Johnson has played with for the last two seasons - would have three days to match the terms, which would appear unlikely given the way the deal is currently structured.
Johnson would make about $6 million annually in the first two years of the deal, then average about $19 million in each of the final two years of the contract. He met with several teams in Chicago in the past few days before making his decision.
Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement.
The Heat agreed to terms on a four-year, $98 million contract with center Hassan Whiteside on Friday, and Whiteside quickly congratulated Johnson on the still-not-completed deal when word came Sunday of the agreement.
Whiteside wrote, man i going to miss you bro.
Johnson responded, crazy how the world works.
Johnson made an average of about $500,000 in each of his first two NBA seasons, yet in this never-before-seen era of a massive $94.1 million salary cap for this coming season - with more increases to come - he will soon become locked into life-changing money.
Johnson was undrafted out of Fresno State two years ago and has averaged 7.4 points in 68 games with the Heat over two seasons. Johnson shot 49 percent last season, up from 42 percent in his rookie year.
Copyright 2016 The Washington Times, LLC.
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