Clan-Members » act of retaliation that ultimately kept Loga

CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers newest rotation member might be a little awe-struck this week when Cleveland faces the Memphis Grizzlies twice on consecutive days.DeAndre Liggins modeled his game after Memphis swingman Tony Allen, who is playing some of the best basketball of his career.Liggins entered the Cavs rotation when J.R. Smith missed two games with a hyperextended knee. Smith is healthy now, but Liggins defensive grit kept him part of Tyronn Lues plans. It is similar to how Allen built his career with defensive tenacity. Coincidentally, both are Chicago natives who keep in touch.Obviously, I can make an open shot, Liggins said. My thing is to stay ready, and my opportunity has presented itself. Just come in and bring that tenacity on the defensive end, take open shots and make them.The Grizzlies (17-8) carry a six-game winning streak into the Tuesday game at Quicken Loans Arena, a stretch that includes an impressive 110-89 dismantling of the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.Allen has played a big role in the hot streak at both ends and will have to again since the Grizzlies will be without center Marc Gasol. The reigning Western Conference player of the week is out simply to rest in what is a brutal stretch.Memphis plays three consecutive games against the two teams that played for the championship last season. As a result, the Grizzlies will rely heavily on Allen, who has managed knee pain from earlier this season with constant treatment.He was really banged up. That knee wasnt firing right, Grizzlies coach David Fizdale told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Its still at a point where I dont get to play him as much as Id really want to play him. But hes definitely healthier and feeling better about his game and his rhythm.The Grizzlies are missing Mike Conley (back), James Ennis (calf), Chandler Parsons (knee), Vince Carter (hip) and Brandan Wright (ankle). And yet they keep winning.Nobodys come to me and said, T.A. do this or do that, Allen told the Commercial Appeal. They want me to just play within the system and play good basketball. Ive been fortunate to do that and be there for my team.The Cavs (17-5) will be back at full strength Tuesday after Channing Frye rejoined the team following his fathers funeral. LeBron James had a late night Monday, however, as he flew to New York following practice to receive Sports Illustrateds Sportsperson of the Year in Brooklyn. He is the Eastern Conferences reigning Player of the Week.As for the Liggins-Allen comparison, Lue believes itis warranted. Lue was an assistant with the Boston Celtics when Allen was starting his career there.T.A. is smaller, but I think he might be stronger -- T.A. is a strong guy, Lue said. Liggs can shoot it better. T.A. actually played point guard for us for 10 games I think and did a great job. Hes a very smart player. Its crazy to see that you play the 2 or 3 and then move him to the point guard and he knew all the plays, all the positions.They have similarities for sure. If (Liggins) can keep playing like that then I mean, T.A. won a championship. Tough, gritty player that everybody would love to have on their team. Cheap Rollie Fingers Jersey . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Cheap Jose Canseco Jersey . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.cheapathleticsjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-catfish-hunter-jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. Cheap Terry Steinbach Jersey . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Cheap Dave Henderson Jersey . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- One of his drivers had just used a dominating run to capture his first career victory at famed Daytona International Speedway. The win was the 100th for the organization at NASCARs top level.To get to victory lane, his other driver offered an assist in the closing laps. Unrelated, he also spun another driver on the last lap to create another round of hard feelings.So instead of basking in the triumph of victory while wearing a champagne-soaked white shirt, Roger Penske was borderline angry in his impassioned defense of drivers Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.Keselowskis victory Saturday night was his third of the season, first at Daytona after years of struggles on the high-banked superspeedway. He got a late push on a final restart from Logano, who then irked Kurt Busch when contact on the final lap sent Busch spinning through the grass.Busch, a former Penske driver, called it an aggressive mistake, but his crew chief Tony Gibson fumed on Twitter: Stupid is as stupid does!!!Penske thought it was unfair.Joey has taken, I think, some undue criticism from my perspective, the team owner said. I could name three or four things that certainly werent his fault. Hes one of the best drivers on the racetrack out there day in and day out, and sure, people make mistakes. A lot of these drivers can knock somebody off the track, and they say, `Hey, Im sorry. They dont let Logano do that.As far as Im concerned, Im behind him 300 percent, and Ill talk to Kurt, he didnt do it on purpose. ... At the end of the day, thats racing, as far as Im concerned.Indeed, Logano has taken his share of hazing from many veterans during his rapid rise into NASCAR. He was famous before hed ever turned a lap, hyped as the next big thing, and many drivers took umbrage to the family wealth that eased his road to NASCARs top level.Penske is used to defending Logano, who was recruited to the team by Keselowski three years ago when Keselowski was unselfish enough to look past a teammate who could match him on the track and saw only a talent who could strengthen the organization.Penske is also used to defending Keselowski, who is outspoken and doesnt back down from anything. Unlike Logano, he had to claw his way through the racing ranks, and after fighting for everything hes earned, he wont bow to anyone.But Penske apparently didnt feel like he needed to defend Keselowski on Saturday night. Already annoyed with the Logano flap, he misinterpreted a question about Keselowskis racing smarts and seemed to snap.Hes a calculating guy, and youre not with him every day like we are in the shop, (seeing) what he brings to the race team, Penske said..dddddddddddd He came early on, he said, `Look, Im going to help you get a championship team. We did that. He helped to attract (crew chief) Paul Wolfe to the team.This is not a popularity contest, and anybody that thinks it is, you know, shouldnt be sitting here. This is racing, and unfortunately some people have different ideas. But look, I wouldnt trade these two drivers for anyone. Theyre young, theyre aggressive, they win races. They work well with the sponsors, and theyre high integrity guys, so move on from there.Make no mistake, Captain, most owners would kill for your lineup.Keselowski recruited Logano to the team the season after Keselowski delivered Penske his first Sprint Cup title. Since his 2013 arrival, Logano and Keselowski have combined for 24 Cup wins. Theyve won another 21 races in the Xfinity Series, which Penske uses to develop team personnel and give sponsors a sampling of the organization at a lower price than the Cup level.Theyve helped develop Ryan Blaney, a future star in NASCAR who has been loaned to the Wood Brothers along with the several crew members who are preparing for the top level.And they probably should have given Penske another two titles.Keselowski was the class of the field in 2014, when he won six races, but had late bumps in the debut of the elimination format in NASCARs playoffs. Despite a win and four top-four finishes in the final five races, he was denied a shot to race for the title.It was Logano who led the Penske charge last season. He won the Daytona 500 and three consecutive races in the Chase. But a feud with Matt Kenseth wouldnt go away and Kenseth intentionally wrecked him in an act of retaliation that ultimately kept Logano out of the championship finale.So its understandable that Penske is tired of the bad rap his drivers receive. Theyve proven to be among the elite talent in NASCAR, and their contributions to the storied Penske organization are immeasurable.Together, in this 50th anniversary season of Team Penske, Keselowski and Logano are a massive part of the 100th win.The 100th in NASCAR is something special, Penske said. Its a byproduct of all the good people we have, and to me weve got to continue to remember that. We lose more than we win in this business, and youve got to know how to deal with the downs and take advantage of the ups.Weve competed in multiple series, and I think were almost at 450 wins now, and were, I think, three or four away from 500 poles. Our goal is 500 and 500. This was the first step to get to 100 in NASCAR. ' ' '