07142016 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016

Davis Cup: Bahamas undefeated with 3-0 victory over Bermuda

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

T

he success continues for the Bahamas’ newest edition of its Davis Cup team as they remain undefeated in tournament play.

The quartet of Baker and Spencer Newman along with team captain Marvin Rolle and Kevin Major Jr defeated Bermuda 3-0 yesterday at the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie. The Bahamas has been a force on the outdoor clay courts at the Club de Tenis La Paz in La Paz, Bolivia, thus far with wins over Honduras, Costa Rica and Bermuda.

Spencer opened up singles play by defeating Gavin Manders in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. He won 66 per cent of his first serve points and 69 per cent of second serve points. He also took 4-6 break points while Manders managed just 2-4.

In match two, Baker made quick work of Neal Towlson in just 62 minutes and took the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-2. He dominated the match in virtually

GO TEAM BAHAMAS: Shown (l-r) are Marvin Rolle, Kevin Major and Baker and Spencer Newman. every statistical category by recording three aces, winning 87 per cent of first serve points, 75 per cent of second serve points and 4-5 break points.

The Bahamas closed out the afternoon when Spencer teamed with Rolle to defeat Jenson Bascome and David Thomas 6-2, 6-3. They have one final matchup in group play against Trinidad and Tobago before they advance to the reclassification round.

The tournament features a group of teams that includes – Pool A: Bolivia, Cuba, Jamaica, Panama and Pool B: The Baha-

mas, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Costa Rica and Bermuda in a round-robin format in two pools.

The winner of Pool A will playoff against the runner-up of Pool B and the winner of Pool B will playoff against the runner-up of Pool A to determine which two nations will advance to Americas Zone Group II in 2017.

The Bahamas is competing in Americas Zone Group III for a seventh consecutive year in 2016.

In their last Davis Cup appearance, the Bahamas re-

corded a 2-2 record through the round-robin stage of the event in Panama, which meant they would not advance to the promotion play-offs.

Wins over Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda were sandwiched between defeats to eventual top two Guatemala and Jamaica. They were also beaten

by Honduras in a position playoff, leaving them in sixth place and in Zone Group III for another year.

The Florida-based Newman brothers have had an immediate impact on the Davis Cup programme with their addition this year.

They secured the top two spots on the team following their performance at the Giorgio Baldacci December Invitational.

The BLTA, however, had to pay a hefty fee of $9,500 to the United States Tennis Association to include the Newman brothers on the team. It was reduced from the original price of $27,400, which was secured through the efforts of the Florida community where the Newman brothers reside, their family, friends and the BLTA.

Beach soccer squad in Europe for ‘Nations Cup’ this weekend

4th Quarter Press

NBA Column, Page 17

JONQUEL JONES STARTING HELPS SUN WIN THREE OF LAST FOUR

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SINCE Jonquel Jones was moved into the starting lineup, the Connecticut Sun have trended upward as one of the WNBA’s hottest teams and have won three of their last four games.

JONES The Sun recorded their largest margin of victory for the season with an 86-64 win over the Indiana Fever yesterday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Their five previous wins were by a total of 15 points.

Jones was plagued by foul trouble with just nine minutes on the floor and finished with five points and two blocked shots.

Chiney Ogwumike led the Sun with 20 points and eight rebounds while Alyssa Thomas added 14 points.

Connecticut was ahead by 17 points midway through the second quarter, but Indiana scored the first nine points of the second half to tie it at 44-all.

SEE PAGE 16

BUDDY’S SHOT IS OFF TARGET IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE PLAY

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PLAYERS from the Bahamas national beach soccer squad - the actual team will not be picked until February, 2017 - left for Europe on Sunday for six weeks. They will go through intense training with Switzerland’s coach Angelo Schirinzi. The Bahamas national beach soccer squad will play in the ‘Nations Cup 2016’ this weekend. They will play Czech Republic on Saturday at 17:45 local time and then either Austria or Slovakia on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of bahamaslocal.com

IT WAS another afternoon of growing pains for Buddy Hield at the Samsung NBA Summer League.

Hield finished with a team high 16 points but shot just 5-17 from the field and 1-7 from threeHIELD point range in the Pelicans’ 81-77 loss to the Miami Heat yesterday at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With his team ahead 68-67 with just under six minutes left to play, Hield scored the last nine points of the game for the Pelicans.

His jumper at the 2:50 mark gave the Pelicans a 77-71 lead, but the Heat would end the game on a 10-0 run to advance in the tournament.

With the loss, the Pelicans are now slated to conclude their Summer League experience on Friday in a consolation game. The Heat will move on to the Round of 16 on Thursday and play against fifth-seeded Phoenix.

SEE PAGE 16

Rio Olympics? Fate of women’s 4x400 relay could be decided in court

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT WAS a valiant effort in their bid toward Olympic qualification.

However, the fate of our women’s 4 x 400 metre relay team could ultimately be decided in court.

Yesterday, the IAAF published the ranking lists for individual and relay events to be contested at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Team Bahamas was ranked 17th, just outside of the cut of 16 teams which will qualify for Rio. Russia is ranked No.10, but the participation of their athletes is in jeopardy, shrouded amid a doping controversy that has rocked the Russian Olympic Committee.

The IAAF initially banned the All-Russia Athletics Federation from participation in the 2016 Games because of widespread doping in the country. However, 68 clean athletes are arguing they should be allowed to compete.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has reached an agreement

THE BAHAMAS women’s 4 x 400 metre relay team (l-r) of Carmiesha Cox, Lanece Clarke, Christine Amertil and Shaquania Dorsett.

Photo by Anthony Foster/Track Alert with all stakeholders, including the ROC, to deliver a ruling on the matter by July 21 “at the latest” after agreeing to “an expedited procedure”.

The standing of Russia’s women’s 4x400m qualification is condi-

tional on the CAS ruling.

“The ROC, IAAF and 68 Russian athletes have concluded a specific arbitration agreement to designate the CAS as the final instance to settle the dispute between the ROC and the IAAF

concerning the participation of 68 Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 (athletics events),” a CAS statement read.

The Bahamas moved up to the fringe of qualification after their performance at the Blue Marlin

Track and Field Classic, which took place less than 24 hours ahead of the deadline for Olympic qualification.

The top eight teams from the 2015 IAAF World Relay Championships earned automatic bids to the Olympics. The next eight fastest times are chosen to make up the field.

The quartet of Lanece Clarke, Carmiesha Cox, Christine Amertil and Shaquania Dorsett took first place in 3:30.34 seconds.

Trinidad and Tobago finished second in the final in 3:30.37 and Jamaica picked up bronze in 3:39.66.

The run gave the Bahamas an aggregate time of 6:58.41 and average time of 3:29.20.

According to the CAS, and under suggestion from the Russian Olympic Committee, only Russian athletes tested mainly outside of the country under stringent measures may be allowed to participate in the 2016 Olympics. However, they would compete as individuals and not under the Russian flag.

PAGE 16, Thursday, July 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Cooper and Hutchinson Jr sign letters of intent to join Niagara College Knights

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net ANOTHER pair of aspiring student athletes will have an opportunity to continue their education at the collegiate level, facilitated by Noble Preparatory Academy.

Kevin Cooper and Van Hutchinson Jr signed their letters of intent yesterday to join the Niagara College Knights men’s basketball programme next fall.

The duo signed their paperwork at the NPA campus, and Niagara head coach Keith Vassell said the entire programme was eager for the new additions.

“Kevin brings a size length and athleticism that we really didn’t have last year. He’ll be a major addition on the defensive boards and become a shot blocker and rim protector. I’m really excited about having him and I know with his work ethic and attitude he’ll grow with our team,” he said.

“I think Van brings a determination and a grittiness we have to replace. He’s an all around player who can score but I’m excited about his athleticism, the way he moves on the floor and just the way he can get to places and do things. I’m really excited for these guys, I know that they will come in, positively impact the team and bring a lot of good things to the table.”

The Knights programme has featured several Bahamian players in recent history, including Rashad

ASPIRING STUDENT ATHLETES Kevin Cooper (left), Van Hutchinson Jr (right) and Geno Bullard (centre), NPA Director.

Morley, Marako Lundy, Tenerro Ferguson and Delroy Grandison.

Lundy, Ferguson and Grandison led the Knights to the OCAA semi-finals last season.

After battling injuries for much of 2014-15 season, Lundy returned to miss only one game in the 2015-16 campaign and led the team in scoring at 18.7 points per game.

Grandison came on late towards the end of the year and averaged 12.4 points.

Ferguson was again a key contributor off the bench,

scoring 6.1 points per game.

“I can’t explain the impact the Bahamian players have had. Our programme three years ago was second to last place, this year if the ball bounced in the opposite direction a few times we could have been a championship team.

“The Bahamian players have been stellar and it’s something that I want to continue to make sure is something that is a part of our programme and we hope for that to continue with these guys.”

Cooper, a former student

at Kingsway Academy, recently completed the post graduate programme at NPA. The 6’7” post player said he is ready to step in and have an immediate impact.

“Coach [Geno] Bullard prepared me for this moment. I know which direction I’m going in with the path I chose now it’s just up to me to make things happen,” he said. “I’m prepared, I talked to a few of the players, I talked to the coach, I’m just ready to get to work.”

Hutchinson, who played

for Bullard at the high school level for the Westminster Diplomats, the CR Walker Knights and a year Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa Junior College, said the transition back to the NPA programme was seamless.

“Through all the decisions I made, right or wrong, I knew this was always home. Coach always had my back with any decision I made so it was easy to come back and it was probably a decision I should have made from the get go,” he said.

“I think I’ll fit in well. I had a talk with the coach already and his expectations are for me to basically fill Marako’s shoes. Me and Marako we have a similar game styles, a hunger for the game so it should be a right fit for me.”

In addition to being the founder and the president of the NPA, Geno Bullard is also the international recruiter for the entire Caribbean region for Niagara College. NPA has academic ties with Ridley, Niagara and Brock University.

“As students at NPA you don’t know what the future holds so you have to be ready, you have to trust the process in guiding you. It’s not just about being great at sports, which these guys will be because they are prepared, but it’s about being great in all areas of what it takes to be a student athlete at the collegiate level.

“It’s knowing time management and how to handle the workload. This is what universities want, students they can invest in that they know will produce great returns,” he said. “Having a full scope of being on the ground and being a part of those institutions I fully understand what is demanded by a prep school, a college or a university and I am able to impart that knowledge to these kids and their parents. It is all about creating a total package - a student that is confident in his education, confident in his athletic ability and to able to present his self in a professional manner.”

NEW Orleans Pelicans’ Buddy Hield shoots against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game on July 10 in Las Vegas. (AP)

BUDDY HIELD’S SHOT OFF TARGET JONQUEL JONES STARTING HELPS IN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE PLAY SUN WIN THREE OF LAST FOUR CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) defends against a shot by Dallas Wings’ Courtney Paris (3) in the first half of a WNBA game on Saturday, July 2, in Arlington, Texas. (AP)

FROM PAGE 15

FROM PAGE 15 The Fever only made two more field goals in the third quarter as Connecticut closed on a 19-5 run for a 63-49 lead.

Early season struggles placed the Sun at a disadvantage but they improved their record to 6-14 and are currently ranked 11th in the Associated Press power poll. Fifth-ranked Indiana fell to 9-12 on the season.

The Sun, who are just 3-7 on the road this season, won their first game against an Eastern Conference opponent in 10 attempts.

The team’s have split the two meetings thus far this

season.

In late June, the Sun front office decided to alter its roster after a disappointing start to the season and the move paid immediate dividends for Jones.

In the first game following the trade, Jones finished with a rookie season high 16 points and tied her season high with nine rebounds.

She also added three blocks and two steals in a season high 29 minutes.

The additional minutes in the front court were made available to Jones once the Sun traded Kelsey Bone to the Mercury for rookie Courtney Williams and the draft rights to Jillian Alleyne, as well as a second round pick in the 2017

WNBA Draft.

In 2015, Bone earned the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award after averaging a career-high 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. This season, she averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds through the first 14 games of the year.

On the season Jones is averaging 5.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just over 12 minutes per game.

On July 15, Jones will face the team who originally drafted her, the league’s top ranked Los Angeles Sparks who boast a 19-1 record. The Sparks have the best start in WNBA history since the 1998 Houston Comets went 20-1.

Through four Summer League games, Hield has averaged 18.3 points per game, but also shot just 34 per cent from the field and 24 per cent from threepoint range.

Defences have keyed in on Hield and overplaying him in an effort to limit him where he has been most effective, in “catchand-shoot” opportunities.

The scoring outbursts within a single quarter have still been apparent with a 12-point fourth quarter against Utah, a 17-point third-quarter against Sacramento and nine yesterday in the fourth against Miami.

Each of those three con-

tests have also seen Hield get out to slow starts.

“Things are tight,” Pelicans summer head coach Robert Pack said of the lack of room for Hield. “(Opponents) know we’re trying to do things for him.

Our bigs are not bigs that can really stretch the floor, so the paint is packed a little bit. We have to execute really well to get those shots (for Hield). In the regular season, with more players on the floor with the ability to shoot and spread the floor, it will help him a lot. (In summer league) teams are putting their hands on him, are aggressive with him and trying to rough him up.”

Hield, the sixth overall pick in the draft, headlines the Pelicans roster alongside 33rd overall

pick Cheick Diallo. “It’s growing pains I have to go through. It’s something I’m not used to. It’s something to help me get better.

I’m enjoying the moment and taking every day as an opportunity to get better,” Hield said. “You come in with a label on you, and everybody wants a piece of you. You’re the sixth pick in the draft, and everybody knows you’re a scorer. So you’ve got to bring it each and every night. This is the NBA, so there are no nights off.”

Following the preliminary round, which began July 8, the Samsung NBA Summer League has reseeded the 24 teams, which now play in a single elimination format leading to the championship on July 18.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 14, 2016, PAGE 17

Fans need to separate the performer from the person HAS THE game changed before our eyes?

Some would say no, others would contend that it has. I would suggest that our concept of basketball and how it drives the lives of athletes remains the only variable.

We want our teams to get the starts, we want our teams to win, we want to have the opportunity to call the team we cheer for on a night-to-night basis the greatest team performing as fan, that is exactly what we hope and pray for.

However, away from the dunks and clutch jumpers we forget that basketball players are in fact people they have emotions, personalities, wants and needs just as you and I do.

I agree that their drive into the office is starkly different from many of ours.

Obviously their day-to-day circumstances are things you and I can only dream about.

But, at the end of the day, these ‘gods that soar’, once they step away from the courts stand as mere mortals - just someone’s son, husband, brother, father, uncle or friend.

There is a need to separate the performer from the person.

My joy at watching LeB-

ron James drive to a rim and finish over the top of an entire opposing team should not trump the joy he feels for playing alongside his friends - the men he considers to be his brothers.

Before you go on a rant about how superstars shouldn’t be allowed to form these all-world teams and how that is bad for the league, think about the strings you would pull to work in an environment where your boss, co-workers and support staff are all dedicated to achieving the same goal. Think about what you would do to have a shot at that sort of synergy in your life.

Sport has advanced beyond an activity being done to best an opponent. The moment we started to view sports through the prism of business - a means to make profit - honour and dignity took a back seat to comfort and financial gain for those participating. These guys literally put their bodies on the line on a night-to-night basis, they deserve to be happy.

As a Laker fan my expectations are that any player that puts on that purple and gold remains loyal to that logo.

The reality is, that logo isn’t even loyal to me. I am

FOURTH QUARTER PRESS

BY RICARDO WELLS

KEVIN DURANT leaving the Thunder doesn’t signal a lack of loyalty - he will always be connected to that city because of everything they went through together.

“IT IS RIDICULOUS TO CONFUSE KEVIN DURANT’S LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA CITY WITH HIS LOYALTY AND LOVE FOR THE THUNDER ORGANISATION.” just a fan. Yes, I love my team, but my love doesn’t mandate what they do to put a product out on the court. My love will never force my beloved Lakers to keep a player that I want if it hurts their idea of what is best for the team.

I learned that the hard way in 2005 when the Lakers traded away ‘Shaq’.

The logo wasn’t loyal to him. Loyalty is a strange thing in sports. As fans we demand something of these players that we aren’t prepared to offer.

Kevin Durant leaving the Thunder doesn’t signal a lack of loyalty; he will always be connected to that city because of everything they went through together.

It is ridiculous to confuse his loyalty and love for the people of Oklahoma City with his loyalty and love for the Thunder organisation.

Are you willing to take a pay cut for your job? What if the company you worked for was failing and closure was imminent, would you say to yourself ‘I am going down with the ship?’

Sport has corrupted our minds into believing that what we see is all there is. The lives of these men and woman that compete for our enjoyment is what matters. Love your teams, cheer for your favourite players but ask not of them something that you would never consider.

Money matters to them as much as it does to you.

Happiness matters to them as much as it does to you.

Life matters to them just as much as it does to you.

• Ricardo Wells writes on Thursdays on the NBA during the season. Comments to rwells@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Jr National Tennis Championships get underway at the QE Sports Centre THE Bahamas Junior National Tennis Championships got underway yesterday morning at the tennis centre in the Queen Elizabeth Sporting Complex with the boys under-10 round robin event.

CENTRE COURT: Young tennis stars compete in the Bahamas Junior National Tennis Championships which got underway yesterday morning at the tennis centre in the Queen Elizabeth Sporting Complex.

Photos by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

LIAM HOLOWESKO WINS WHITE JERSEY FOR 2ND STRAIGHT DAY IN JUNIOR TOUR OF IRELAND LIAM Holowesko won the white jersey for the secon​​d consecutive day in the Junior Tour of Ireland 2016.

The event is being held in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, July 12-17. ​Racing on the Hot Tubes Cycling Team, ​ Holowesko won the white jersey in the Stage 1 Time Trial on Tuesday, July 12, and also in the 117.8km Stage 2 Road Race yesterday.

The white jersey is awarded to the first year tour rider with the fastest time.

The second stage on June 13 saw the riders take in East Care when they left Treacys West County Hotel at noon for a 120km stage towards Sixmilebridge, Killaloe, Scarriff, Killaneana,​ and with a fi ​ nish​in Barefield around 2:45pm. Holowesko placed 4th out of 100 riders, and had the fastest time of all first year riders.​​ T he remaining stages are: ​Stage 3 Lahinch – 101.7km road race, July 14 Stage 4 Wild Atlantic Way – 109.9km road race, July 15 Stage 5 Gallows Hill – 101.3 km road race, July 16 Stage 6 Ennis Circuit Race –

CYCLIST LIAM HOLOWESKO won the white jersey for the secon​​d consecutive day in the Junior Tour of Ireland 2016.

77.5km road race, July 17 The Junior Tour of Ireland is in its 38th year in 2016. It has seen some of the biggest names of Irish and world cycling pass through over the years.

The junior tour has proven to be the event that defines cyclists at a very young age, and helps them determine how to approach

international racing in the future. The tour is run under the Rules of Cycling Ireland and Union Cycliste Internationale.​ Hot Tubes Cycling Team is the premier junior development cycling team in the US with more than a hundred national titles and two world champions over the last 20 plus years.

Friends and family made up a good crowd in full support with Michael Major leading the way with a perfect 3-0 win-loss record from Jackson Targgart (2-1), Thai Rees (1-2) and Miguel Smith (0-3).

PAGE 18, Thursday, July 14, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Froome evolving into master tactician on bike

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer MONTPELLIER, France (AP) — Over the space of five days, Chris Froome’s reputation has evolved from the most calculating of riders to a master tactician on the bike.

First came his daring solo downhill attack and stage victory in Stage 8 in the Pyrenees.

Then the British rider used the wind to his advantage and slipped into a fourman breakaway yesterday to gain more time on his direct rivals as he attempts to secure a third Tour de France title in four years.

“This is bike racing at its best,” Froome said. “I’m just enjoying my racing, attacking every opportunity I can.”

World champion Peter Sagan won the windy 11th stage by easily edging Froome in a sprint finish.

“For sure it was not a boring stage,” Sagan said.

“It was always dangerous wind.”

With crosswinds of 40 kph (25 mph) sweeping across the road, cyclists rode with their heads crouched down all day to reduce resistance.

With 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) remaining in the mostly flat 162.5-kilometre (101-mile) leg from the medieval city of Carcassonne to Montpellier near the Mediterranean coast, Froome and Geraint Thomas, one of his top support riders on Team Sky, joined the Tinkoff duo of Peter Sagan and Maciej Bodnar in the lead.

“Again it was just another one of those spur of the moment kind of things,” Froome said. “When Sagan went I thought, ‘Well, why not? Let me go after

him and see what happens.’

The four of us worked well together. It was in all of our best interests to work together.

“Peter wanted the stage and we wanted to gain time on the GC (general classification, or overall) guys,” Froome added.

It was Sagan’s second victory in this Tour and his sixth career win in cycling’s biggest race.

Bodnar crossed third.

“It was a surprise also for me,” Sagan said. “We don’t plan that. We are like artists. ... It just happens. With this wind it was dangerous every moment in the stage.”

Getting a six-second bonus for his second-place finish, Froome gained 12 seconds on all of his main opponents who finished in the peloton six seconds behind.

While winning the 2013 and 2015 Tours, Froome relied mostly on uphill attacks and his time trialing skills, and was often criticised for a lack of creativity. Perhaps realising that he can’t pull away from his rivals in the mountains anymore, he has become more unpredictable.

“We really are looking for every opportunity,” Froome said. “It’s our mentality this year to try our luck every time it’s possible, even on the flats.”

The bigger gaps also made Froome more comfortable in the yellow jersey ahead of Thursday’s mountain finish at Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day. Froome moved 28 seconds ahead of fellow British rider Adam Yates.

Dan Martin of Ireland is third overall, 31 seconds behind, and two-time runnerup Nairo Quintana of Colombia is fourth, 35 seconds

BRITAIN’S CHRIS FROOME, (third from left wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey) rides in the pack during the 11th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 162.5 kilometres (100.7 miles) with start in Carcassonne and finish in Montpellier, France, yesterday. (AP) back.

“I was wondering if it was worth spending that energy but I was thinking, ‘I’m going to try and get anything I can, knowing that Nairo is really strong in the third week,’” said Froome, who lost some time to Quintana during the final week en route to last year’s title.

“If I can take any seconds, I will.”

Quintana lamented that narrow roads played a role in the stage. Caught far behind in the peloton when Froome made his move, the Colombian made no effort to bridge the gap.

“It was a difficult day for me,” Quintana said. “There was a lot of wind and it was all flat. Organisers are thinking about the show but we take chances with our

lives every day and especially in stages like this.”

On paper, the stage had appeared to set up well for sprinters. But the wind made it into a more tactical finish.

At times, the wind split the peloton into several small groups — known as echelons — that swept across the road in fan-like formations.

Even midway through the stage, Froome rode hard at the front of the peloton, perhaps sensing that some of his rivals were having trouble keeping up.

“Everyone knew the wind would be a factor and everyone rode at the front all day,” Froome said. “But just at the end, that’s where the legs were a little bit (tired) and we got away.”

RIO’S SHUTTERED OLYMPIC ANTIDOPING LAB AWAITS WADA APPROVAL

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer

DWIGHT HOWARD holds the jersey presented to him by Grant Hill, left, during a news conference introducing Howard as the newest member of the Atlanta Hawks yesterday in Atlanta. (AP)

Dwight Howard ready to prove he can be an elite player again

By GEORGE HENRY Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Dwight Howard watched Kent Bazemore choke up with emotion and soon did the same.

Returning to Atlanta means a lot.

“My prayers are answered,” Howard said. “I’m home. I’m with my family, so thank you.”

Howard has a new team, a new jersey number and a fresh start in his hometown.

After five mostly disappointing years with Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers after leaving Orlando, Howard says this time will be different. Atlanta is where he belongs.

The Hawks hosted a homecoming yesterday for Howard, a three-time NBA and welcomed back Bazemore at a youth recreation centre in southwest Atlanta where Howard grew up.

The gymnasium was packed with children, family members and friends.

This was all about a new beginning for Howard, who has switched his number from No. 12 to No. 8 for biblical inspiration. In the Bible, number eight signifies resurrection and regeneration.

Howard says the number will motivate him as he gets in shape

and changes his outlook on life this summer.

“One of the things biblically is the purging of the heart and throughout the years there are things that have happened behind closed doors that it really hardened my heart towards different situations,” Howard later told reporters.

“I really have to purge my heart and come at basketball in a different manner. I was very upset with how things turned out and what people were saying. I hardened my heart towards everybody.”

Orlando drafted Howard No. 1 overall out of Southwest Atlanta Christian School in 2004.

He became one of the NBA’s elite big men over the next few years, leading the Magic to the 2009 NBA finals and ranking first in rebounds for five seasons and ranking second in another.

But Howard’s time in central Florida ended bitterly after a falling out with coach Stan Van Gundy. He joined Kobe Bryant for one difficult season with the Lakers and slipped occasionally into mediocrity over his last three years with Houston.

The Hawks, who have signed him to a three-year, $70.5 million contract, believed the time was right to bring Howard aboard.

“He can have a huge, positive impact,” coach and team president Mike Budenholzer said.

“He can take us to another level if he and everybody are kind of playing and understanding their roles. We feel like it can be special.”

Budenholzer doesn’t seem concerned that Howard is step back offensively compared Al Horford, a longtime fan favourite who left in free agency for Boston.

Budenholzer compared Howard’s inside presence somewhat to retired San Antonio centre Tim Duncan. Howard doesn’t have Duncan’s or Horford’s shooting touch, but Budenholzer said Howard’s 6-foot-10, 265-pound frame is ideal for what the Hawks want to accomplish on both ends of the court.

“He’s more of a traditional centre,” Budenholzer said. “It’s been clear he’s been one of the top defenders in our league for a long time. Offensively, he’s somebody who’s a presence inside, who’s putting pressure on the rim whether it be in pickand-rolls or post-ups. It will probably be something more like what San Antonio had for the majority of time I was there” as an assistant coach.

Bazemore, who’s played the last two seasons in Atlanta,

returned to the Hawks with a four-year, $70 million contract.

He visited Houston, where he said James Harden, Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler each made a pitch, but staying in Atlanta was his preference.

Wiping back tears, Bazemore called it one of the “highlights of my life” to build relationships in the local community.

“I play for you guys every night wearing Atlanta across my chest,” Bazemore told the gym.

“It means more than just a jersey. I feel your pain here. I love the grit that this area gives off.

Coming here to talk to the kids, I was here a couple of weeks ago for the court unveiling. To see the progress they’ve made over the years is what I’m all about.”

Howard cried when it was his first turn to speak.

“This building is where I spent a lot of time working on my game and wanting it to make it to the NBA,” Howard said. “This brings back chills.

This area was home for me. My school is two minutes away.

“Every morning at 4am, my dad and my cousin were back there with me on the track, trying to make it to the NBA. It’s great. A man told me, ‘If you want to get back to the top, you’ve got to go back to your roots.’”

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The shuttered anti-doping laboratory for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics has been inspected by officials from the World Anti-Doping Agency, which will soon decide if the laboratory gets reaccredited, with the games opening in just over three weeks.

WADA said in an email to The Associated Press that it expects “a recommendation from the disciplinary committee in the coming days, and a decision by the chairman of WADA’s executive committee next week.”

The Brazilian sports ministry, which oversees the Rio laboratory, yesterday confirmed the inspection.

A spokesman said the ministry expected a decision even sooner, but gave no indication of when.

The anti-doping laboratory was suspended last month for “nonconformity with International Standard for Laboratories.”

The suspension has been an embarrassment for local organisers and a major headache for the International Olympic Committee, which could be forced to send blood and urine samples abroad for testing if the lab remains closed.

The Rio Games face countless other problems: the Zika epidemic, soaring crime and security worries, slow ticket sales and severe water pollution in venues for sailing, rowing, canoeing, triathlon and distance swimming.

In an interview yesterday, IOC President Thomas Bach said it would be better if the Rio lab were re-accredited, but added there were alternate plans.

“For us, for the IOC, it is clear we will give the samples to a laboratory only that guarantees the scope and integrity of the anti-doping program,” Bach said.

“If this can be guaranteed by WADA in Rio, then of course we would go to Rio,” Bach added. “If not, then we would have to ship the samples to a WADA-accredited lab or labs elsewhere.”

It’s not the first time that the Rio lab has been suspended by WADA. It was also suspended in 2012 after a false positive test result.

The closure meant that samples for soccer’s 2014 World Cup tournament were sent to Lausanne, Switzerland, for testing.