MINNEAPOLIS - When Damian Lillard drilled the 3-pointer to beat Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs last season, the Rockets left Portland knowing that they had to do one thing if they were going to become legitimate contenders in the powerful Western Conference. [url=http://www.whole

MINNEAPOLIS - When Damian Lillard drilled the 3-pointer to beat Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs last season, the Rockets left Portland knowing that they had to do one thing if they were going to become legitimate contenders in the powerful Western Conference. Discount Jordans .They had to become a better defensive team.Assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff took on the task, and the changes he has implemented have been a smashing success early this season. The Rockets are second in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions, third in field-goal percentage defence and third in points allowed per game, helping them to a 16-4 record that is the second-best start in the league.Last year at the end of the playoffs, we sat down and went over a lot of stuff, coach Kevin McHale said. We just had to get better defensively. We had to get more disruptive. JB Bickerstaff has done a great job.Even more impressive is that the Rockets have been so successful while playing almost half of their games without their two best defensive players — Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley. Howard has only played 10 games and Beverley eight because of injuries, but new swingman Trevor Ariza and veteran Jason Terry have been instrumental in instilling a new focus and attention to detail on that side of the floor.Bickerstaff, one of the rising young assistants in the game, said he watched video of Howards dominant days in Orlando and consulted with other coaches including his father, Bernie, and Mike Brown, a respected defensive strategist, to come up with a plan to address the Rockets issues on defence.The last play in Portland was kind of a microcosm of our entire season, Bickerstaff said. There was miscommunication and it ended with a wide open look for Damian that cost us.The biggest thing is the guys have bought in and are committed on that end of the floor, he said. Now you hear guys in tight games saying, Were one of the best defensive teams in the league. Lets get a stop. This is what we do.The Rockets play at Golden State, at Sacramento and host Denver this week.Here are some other things to keep an eye on in the NBA:PARKERS 3s: Spurs PG Tony Parker is shooting 65 per cent from 3-point range this season and is averaging 1.4 attempts per game, which would be his highest since the 2004-05 season if he sustains it through the year. As I get older, Pop is less concerned about what Im doing so Im sneaking in some 3s sometimes, Parker joked.LEBRON VS. DURANT: The best game of the week could be on Thursday, when LeBron James and the streaking Cavaliers visit Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant and Russell Westbrook are finally healthy and playing, and every game counts for them after the Thunder lost 13 of their first 17 with them on the bench.MAVERICKS TOUGH WEEK: Every week is tough in the West, but Dallas definitely has its work cut out this week with a trip to Memphis on Tuesday, a home game against Anthony Davis and New Orleans on Wednesday and a visit from the conference-leading Golden State Warriors on Saturday.COUSINS HEALTH: DeMarcus Cousins impressive start has been derailed by a viral infection. Hes missed the last five games and it remains unclear when the big man will return to the Kings lineup.SURGING SIXERS? After going 0-17 and coming dangerously close to setting the record for worst start to a season, the Philadelphia 76ers have won two of their last three games, beating Detroit and Minnesota last week. They travel to Atlanta on Wednesday and Brooklyn on Friday before hosting Memphis on Saturday.___STAT LINE OF THE WEEK: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: The ageless wonder had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists on Dec. 6 at Memphis, helping the Spurs overcome the loss of Parker to beat the rugged Grizzlies, 107-101. It was the 38-year-old Duncans first triple-double in the regular season since Nov. 11, 2010 at Golden State. Authentic Jordans Outlet . But the young forward is more than willing to shed a little blood if thats what it takes to make the team this season. "It caught me pretty good, dazed me for that shift, but I didnt want to be off the ice for too long," he said after practice, his lip still bleeding a little despite the plastic stitches holding it together. Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping .S. Olympic hockey management team have been making what he called "ghost rosters" since August. http://www.wholesaleairjordan.us/ . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City.CALGARY -- After losing 35-22 to the host Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup last year, linebaker Juwan Simpson says the Calgary Stampeders expect to take the next step and become CFL champions this season. "Were ultimately working for one goal and thats to win the Cup," said Simpson, whos entering his sixth season with the Stamps. "Im a confident person. I think the rest of the guys are just as confident. "Regardless of what happens, we know its a long season. Were going to put our best foot forward week in and week out and see what happens." Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, who completed 14-of-27 passes for 222 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in last years Grey Cup game against the Argos, said he definitely wants a shot at redemption. "Even getting there and actually losing the game, it gives you more motivation to get back and win it," Glenn said. "Thats our ultimate goal, but weve got to take it one game at a time." Glenn was thrust into the starters role last season to compensate for starter Drew Tates injury-plagued season. He didnt disappoint, completing 325-of-487 passes for 4,220 yards and 25 touchdown passes in the regular season. His completion rate of 66.7 per cent was the best of his 12 CFL seasons. Although Glenn, who turned 34 on June 12, is slated to back up Tate once again to start the 2013 season, hes keeping a positive attitude and preparing as if he could be called upon for his services at any moment. "Whatever position youre in on this team, you have to be ready to go," Glenn said. "You cant take practices off or days off in meetings and stuff. You have to prepare and prepare as if youre going to play and start. I think thats better to do it that way. It keeps you focused during the game on helping the other guys that are playing out there." Meanwhile, Tate wants to put last years nightmarish season behind him. After guiding the Stamps to a 38-10 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the 2012 season opener at home, Tate dislocated his left shoulder during a Week 2 loss in Toronto. Tate, who completed just 46-of-63 passes for 570 yards and four touchdowns, returned to play in the final two games of the regular season before fracturing a bone near the wrist of his throwing arm in Calgarys West Division semifinal win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Tate has refused to let those two major setbacks from deterring him this season. &"If you try to alter your play based on not getting hurt, youre just going to affect your game and youre not going to be playing at the highest level that you can be playing," Tate said. Cheap Jordan Shoes From China. "You just hope that youve got somebody watching over you every time you fall and thats about it." Whether its Tate, Glenn or third-stringer Bo Levi Mitchell at the helm of Calgarys offence, theyll have plenty of weapons at their disposal once again this season. "Im certainly confident in our quarterbacks," said running back Jon Cornish, who tied for the league lead with 11 rushing touchdowns and added two others through the air. Cornish was named the CFLs most outstanding Canadian last season after leading the league with 1,457 rushing yards, which broke Normie Kwongs 56-year-old Canadian single-season rushing record. The Stamps also boast a talented receiving corps which will be led by veteran Nik Lewis (100 catches last year, 1,241 yards and 10 TDs), Marquay McDaniel (53 catches, 744 yards and three TDs), Maurice Price (18 catches, 405 yards and three TDs) and Joe West (24 catches, 353 yards and two TDs). "Im very optimistic," Tate said. "I said this before camp that Ive never been on a team with as much talent at the play-making positions that we have this year. As a quarterback, you cant ask for anything more." Rene Paredes will once again handle the field-goal kicking duties, while Rob Maver is back for his second season as Calgarys primary punter. Both Paredes and Maver were chosen as West Division and CFL all-stars last season. When asked to identify the biggest gain in the off-season for the Stamps, head coach and general manager John Hufnagel responded by pointing to the overall speed of his defensive players during training camp and the pre-season. "I thought overall our defence in general played fast in the two pre-season games," Hufnagel said. "I want that type of speed to continue with areas of improvement." Simpson will be counted upon for his veteran leadership on defence as will fellow linebacker Malik Jackson, defensive backs Brandon Smith and Keon Raymond and defensive lineman Charleston Hughes. "Weve got a lot of vets returning," Simpson said. "Weve got some young guys to come in and help us. I think weve got a good group of guys and Im looking forward to actually getting out there and playing four quarters." 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