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Geregistreerd op: 28 Dec 2018 Berichten: 421
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Geplaatst: 21-02-2019 06:38:56 Onderwerp: GREATER NOIDA, India - Sebastian Vettel can afford to downpl |
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GREATER NOIDA, India - Sebastian Vettel can afford to downplay the importance of winning Sundays Indian Grand Prix. Cheap Nike Shoes From China Free Shipping . He doesnt need to win the race to claim a bigger prize. With a massive 90-point lead over Ferraris Fernando Alonso in the drivers standings, the German needs only to finish fifth or better to claim a fourth successive world championship title and become the third man to achieve the feat, joining Formula One greats Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher. "Obviously its looking pretty good, but we focus on the job we have this weekend which is to get the maximum both for the race and for the championship," a relaxed Vettel said Thursday. Vettel dashed Alonsos hopes of challenging for the title when he won the previous GP at Suzuka, Japan — his fifth straight win and ninth of the season. He can now cap his season of dominance by sealing the drivers title in India with four races remaining. "For sure its nice to have the opportunity," Vettel said. "Im not trying to focus on that, Im trying to focus on the race and Ive said many times the most important thing for us and myself is to win the championship. It doesnt really matter where and when." Vettel and Red Bull have dominated the 5.125-kilometre (3.184-mile) Buddh International Circuit since the first Indian GP in 2011, winning both previous races from pole position and leading every lap. Despite his obvious affinity with the track, Vettel says he feels no pressure to win the title here. Its not one of the things you want to get out of the way. It should be a very positive thing," he said. "Obviously were in a great position with a good gap in the points table, but I dont come here thinking I have to do this or have to do that. I didnt do that the last three years." A resigned Alonso said Vettels only problem was deciding where he wanted to claim the title. "If Sebastian wins here or in Abu Dhabi, its more a problem for him," he said. "Depends when he wants to celebrate, which is the best country to celebrate." The only other driver apart from Vettel to record podium finishes at both Indian GPs is Alonso, who was third in 2011 and second last year. A two-time world champion, Alsonso said he doesnt need to be driving for a title to be motivated to finish well. "Motivation is always 100 per cent and you want to do well," the Spaniard said. "So for the rest of the year we will try to help the team to get the goal of second place in the constructors championship, try to score as many points as possible and get some podiums if I can." Mark Webber, who won pole position at Japan, is hungry for another win over his Red Bull teammate before leaving F1 at the end of the season, while Kimi Raikkonen and Lotus teammate Romain Grosjean have been building a sustained charge throughout the second half of the season, despite some poor showing in qualifying. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, with two wins this season, is also a danger. "Im sure its going to be a tough weekend," Vettel said. "I think we have reason to believe the car will be competitive, so were in good shape, but Im sure the others will try and push us very hard." Cheap Nike Shoes Wholesale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Nike Shoes From China .500 ball against teams with winning records, so they needed a huge lift from somebody Tuesday night in a matchup of division leaders. http://www.nikeshoesfromchina.com/ . The Maple Leafs may not have had a pick until the third round, but they have made the biggest move of the second day of the Draft, dealing defenceman Carl Gunnarsson and a fourth-round pick in the draft to the St.TORONTO - As DeMar DeRozan finished addressing the media ahead of Friday nights game, the first time hes spoken publicly since going down with his injury last week, one reporter pointed out hell need some new suits. DeRozan has missed the Raptors last four games with a torn tendon in his groin and will be a spectator for the foreseeable future. But the 25-year-old All-Star guard and iron man did not watch his teams 105-91 loss to Cleveland from the bench. He stood in the tunnel for some of it but spent most of the night sitting in front of a television. He watched the previous three games from his couch, as the Raptors were out West, and had avoided sitting on the sideline during the three contests he missed last season. Its not for a lack of leadership or interest on his part. Its also not for a lack of suits. Its simply too difficult for him. Thats been the biggest adjustment as he continues to recover from the first serious injury of his five-plus year career. Its definitely tough, just for me personally, the Raptors leading scorer admitted before Fridays game. Im used to being out there. Its more just frustrating than anything, because I always want to be out there every single night with my teammates. DeRozan had missed just 11 of a possible 394 games over his first five seasons and into his sixth. A self-made star, he has become known for his relentless work ethic, a player that has spent countless hours in the gym each day for the bulk of his life. Now, hes got a bunch of time on his hands and, understandably, its driving him crazy. Where does he spend most of his time? On the couch, he responded. If theres no basketball game on Im playing Madden. Thats been my day, every single day, just to keep my sanity. I dont have a choice now. Its different when you have a choice but I dont have no choice now. Ive just got to stay positive and just become more of a student and grow mentally. Just because hes not watching from the bench doesnt mean hes not watching. DeRozan hopes to use this time as an opportunity to see the game in a new light. Dwane Casey has asked him to sit in on the coaches meetings, something hes looking forward to doing. Hes just happy to get off the couch. I think this is going to definitely help me out mentally, just becoming more of a student of the game and really scouting and looking at the game a different way, he said. Just understanding a lot more about the game, outside of being a basketball player, honestly. Seeing how coaches approach the game. DeRozan sustained the injury a week ago, slipping and falling awkwardly in a loss to the Mavericks. Toronto has split the four games hes missed, scoring over 120 points in two of them. But they could have used him Friday. With the Cavs in town, the Raptors red-hot offence turned ice cold in a hurry. Amir Johnson aside - he scored a season-high 27 on 11-for-15 from the field - Toronto struggled to find any kind of rhythm. We go from a game at altitude [in Utah], where we shoot 57 per cent and tonight we couldnt buy a bucket, Casey said after his team shot a mere 41 per cent against Cleveland. We couldnt hit the side of a barn with a bass fiddle. Its one of those things that you look at the schedule and you kind of expect that. But were better than that. I know this team tonight wasnt us, he continued. First game back from a west-coast trip, the [last] team you want to see is a team as talented as Cleveland. Two weeks ago it was DeRozans surprising defence on James and his big second-half effort that helped the Raptors erase an early 18-point deficit to knock off the struggling Cavaliers in Cleveland. They havent lost since, winners of six in a row. Even without DeRozan, this is a deep team that should have enough talent to steal at least half their games and compete more often than not. But against the leagues best, theyll need all hands on deck. This is a tight-knit group and the chemistry theyve built over the last year is something DeRozan values now more than ever. Its definitely helpful, DeRozan said. Amir texted me one night, couple nights ago and he just said he was walking down the hotel hallway screaming my name and he was used to me popping my head out the door. Something like that goes so far because it just shows the appreciation that your teammates have for you and the relationship that you have together. It keeps him integrated with the team, added Kyle Lowry, who has picked up the slack with his teammate out, scoring 22 in the loss to Cleveland. I think when youre still integrated with the team you dont feel as lonely. It can get lonely not traveling with the team, not being with the team but our growth and the relationship with our teammates, were like family. The Raptors still dont have a timetable on DeRozans return to the court. Surgery is not being considered, instead theyre taking a patient approach to his recovery, reevaluating his progress on a week-to-week basis. Im feeling better each day, he said. Just trying to stay off it as much as I can, get as much rest as I can, continue to eat well and just let it heal. I always looked at it like it could be worse. It could be a lot worse. Im still going to come back, Im still going to play. Returrn of T-Mac Tracy McGrady isnt the first controversial former Raptor to be honoured as part of the teams continued 20th anniversary celebrations, and likely wont be the last. Nike Shoes From China. When its all said and done, theyll have paid homage to something in the neighbourhood of 15 players from their past and the unfortunate reality is you can probably put an asterisk next to most of their Raptor tenures. Some of them werent here long, some didnt win enough, some left on bad terms. McGrady checks all three of those boxes. The ninth overall pick in 1997, Torontos third ever first-round selection, McGrady spent three seasons north of the border before bolting for his hometown in Orlando ahead of his 22nd birthday. Drafted straight out of high school, he didnt play a prominent role until his third season for the Raptors first ever playoff team. Like his former teammate Vince Carter, McGrady has been booed each time hes returned to the Air Canada Centre as a visiting player, but his case is a little bit different, having left as an unrestricted free agent. The way it ended with me and it ended with [Carter] was totally different, said the retired 15-year NBA vet. I mean, I just left to go play [at] home, it was no hard feelings or anything involved. It was a little bit different for him because of the statements that he made a little bit later on. Same as his distant cousin and the rest of the teams honourees to this point - Alvin Williams, Antonio Davis and Jalen Rose - McGrady was given a standing ovation after a video tribute was shown on the big screen early in Friday nights game. Speaking ahead of tip-off, McGrady expressed some regret over his decision to escape Carters shadow and move on so early in his career. Looking back, yeah, I wish I would have stayed, because I didnt expect myself to pan out to be that type of player that I turned into, said the seven-time All-Star, who went on to win two scoring titles with the Magic before spending five seasons in Houston. And to team up with Vince and what we built there, if you listen to Kobe [Bryant], if you look back on what Kobe said a while back, he said had I stayed here we probably would have been playing the Lakers in a couple of championships. So, I dont like to look back. It was great times here, I just felt like at the time... let me say this, if the organization was the way it is now back then, theres no way I would have left. And in the end, thats what it comes down to: closure. The Raptors are thriving as an organization and theyre off to their best start in franchise history. As they say, living well is the best revenge and with the team turning a corner, it seems some fans are finally able to let go. After all, perspective is important here. These arent jersey retirement ceremonies, theyre 60-second video montages. Hoping to lure stars to Toronto in the future, its important to the organization that they show some love to players of the past. Theres no question for me, said Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri. When I came here, you think about it and I know theres all the talk on how they left and all that stuff, but thats gone. Lets think about the future. These guys helped inspire young kids in Canada and look at where basketball is. Every young kid, prospects, they mention those guys and how they elevated them to get to play the game. So for me, 20 years, embrace it, man. Were lucky to have Tracy McGrady, were lucky to have Vince Carter, were lucky to the great fans that we have. Lets move on. Lets embrace the guys we have now and share it and move on. Giant of Africa Toronto laid out the red carpet Friday, welcoming basketball royalty to town for Ujiris event - The Giant of Africa - honouring the life of his hero Nelson Mandela. Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Dikembe Mutombo sat courtside and were among those in attendance as the Raptors turned their practice facility into a pre-game cocktail reception. On the first anniversary of Mandelas passing, Ujiri hosted the evening-long celebration of the late former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, also supporting the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Giants of Africa, his not-for-profit organization. The world is not in a good place, in my opinion, and [Mandela] makes it better, Ujiri said, tearing up. I think hes going to be bigger, even though hes passed. He was bigger than life. Its incredible. To see Magic, Dikembe, Charles, all these guys here, you cant ask for anything better, and they came just like that. Its touching for me. The Raptors welcomed all three NBA legends with highlight videos, each of them receiving a standing ovation from a sellout crowd. The team is one of the top two or three teams in the East, Johnson said of the Raptors. Theyre a powerhouse now, its no more the Raptors we used to know. Wed mark down, okay, theres two wins for us with the Raptors, we wont worry about them. Now, this is a serious Eastern Conference championship team so [Ujiris] built a wonderful team. Hes done a wonderful job but hes showing people also that he has a heart and soul and that the Toronto Raptors are not just about playing winning basketball, theyre also about touching the world and I love that. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' |
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