FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. GREIVIS VASQUEZ (Raptors): Has been sensational for the Raps in the past few weeks. His confidence in his three-point shooting and his ability to make difficult shots in the lane have been huge. He runs the team well and plays with wonderful enthusiasm. Major pick-up as a back-up point guard and hes finally settled in to his role and comfort level in Toronto. Really fun/upbeat personality who loves the game and plays with a swagger. Fun to see it all coming together for him. 2. ALLEN IVERSONS NO. 3 RETIRED IN PHILLY: In an otherwise gloomy season in Philadelphia, this was the definite highlight. Talk about a guy that absolutely carried his team and was the heart and soul of his franchise. Loved the passion and toughness he played with. When you think of great small guards who have ever played the game, hes right at the top of the list. His competitive spirit resonated throughout the teams he led and the city that adopted him. I think back to broadcasting the 2001 Raptors seven-game series in the Eastern Conference semi-finals against them and he was awesome. A complete joy to watch. Willed his team to the NBA Finals. Deserving honour. 3. NY KNICKS: I talk about AI and his competitive spirit and then I watch the Knicks vs. Bulls game on Sunday and just shake my head. The wheels have come off and Im not surprised one bit. When the Knicks were in Toronto twice during the pre-season I could sense from chatting with their folks an over-confidence about what they achieved last season and the feeling that they would just pick up where they left off. It aint that easy. Last season doesnt mean a thing - youve got to start off all over again. Complacency can be a killer. Whats the old line? "Good is the enemy of great". Doubt the Knicks would ever be considered great but they sure were good last year. When you enjoy those good spoils of success and arent ready for the grind again it spells trouble. I feel bad for head coach Mike Woodson, its not like he hasnt called them and challenged them on things constantly. Losing battle right now. House cleaning coming. 4. JIMMER FREDETTE (Bulls): Nice pick-up for John Paxson and Gar Forman. This team is playing great yet lacks consistent offensive fire power. Wouldnt surprise me to see Jimmer earn some playing time in a few weeks after he gets adjusted to the new system. Remember last season, Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli were huge for them off the bench as DJ Augustin has been this year. Jimmer will give them another three-point threat. Yes, hes got challenges defensively due to his size - he lacks lateral quicks - but he will compete his tail off and stick shots if he gets in. Im sure hell get a good look down the road this month. Solid under-the-radar move. 5. THABO SEFOLOSHA and KENDRICK PERKINS (Thunder): Both banged up right now in OKC and with the return of Russell Westbrook its been a revolving door around Kevin Durant yet I think its all a blessing for their organization. Its been "Force Feed" time for Reggie Jackson, Steven Adams, Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones and theyve developed folks that need to grow as players quickly in an elite environment. From April 15 onward when both injured guys will be back for the Playoffs, the depth and experience of these challenges will help this team become steadier and more consistent when the stakes are higher. Dallas Cowboys Troy Aikman Jersey .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. Discount Dallas Cowboys Jerseys .com) - The Buffalo Bills will return to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday when they welcome the upstart Cleveland Browns to town. http://www.cowboyscheap.com/314d-cheap-t...owboys.html.com) - Carmelo Anthony tallied 31 points to help the New York Knicks continue their improved play of late with a 100-92 victory over a short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder squad. Dallas Cowboys Tony Pollard Jersey . - In about six minutes, the Memphis Grizzlies had allowed their 23-point lead to be cut to seven. Dallas Cowboys Chuck Howley Jersey .C. -- Colin Kaepernick raced into the end zone, then pretended to rip open his shirt with both hands imitating Cam Newtons Superman touchdown celebration.ARLINGTON, Texas - Jason Witten and the Dallas Cowboys can tell better than just about anyone the difference between the New Orleans Saints with and without coach Sean Payton. The Saints hung on for a 34-31 overtime win in Texas two years ago on the same day they were eliminated from playoff contention in a lost season without their suspended coach. Last year they became the first team in NFL history to get 40 first downs in a 49-17 blowout that was easily the worst for the Cowboys since coach Jason Garrett took over midway through the 2010 season. I think anytime youre humbled like that, theres a respect factor you have, Witten said of a game that propelled the Saints back to the post-season with Payton in charge while Dallas missed for the fourth straight year. It was good for our team to watch that tape and to see it, see what they did to us. Im sure they watched that tape as well. Payton will be on the sideline at the $1.2 billion home of the Cowboys on Sunday night after watching from his Dallas-area home in 2012 because of his season-long ban over the bounty scandal. He was on Bill Parcells staff in Dallas when he got the chance to coach the Saints. Watch the game on TSN1, 3, 4, 5 and TSN GO at 7pm et/4pm pt. Ive got a lot of close friends back there with that organization, Payton said. Theres a uniqueness about that program. Its special. Just having those opportunities, and ... when the schedule comes out and you see that its a Sunday night game, thats exciting. Drew Brees can share in the excitement because hes thrown for 838 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his past two games against the Cowboys. The former Texas high school star has won three straight against Dallas since the Cowboys beat the Saints in New Orleans when they were 13-0 and went on to win the Super Bowl in 2009. That win was the only one for Dallas in the past nine games against New Orleans. Theres a lot of new faces, Payton said of the Cowboys. The key, I think, and the message really was getting familiar with this team, the team were playing this weekend. These two tteams really havent played each other yet when you look at the roster makeup.dddddddddddd Things to watch in the fifth meeting in the past six seasons between the Saints and Cowboys, who lead the series 15-11 after winning 11 of the first 12 from 1967-84. MOMENTUM FACTOR: The Cowboys have won two in a row for their fourth straight 2-1 record in four full seasons under Garrett. But theyve never made it to 3-1 and havent won three straight in almost two years. The Saints (1-2) are trying to continue their recovery from an uncharacteristic 0-2 start under Payton. They took the first step with last weeks 20-9 victory over Minnesota. ROMOS ROUTINE: Tony Romo skipped practice on Wednesday last week and played his best game since returning from back surgery in December in last weeks 34-31 win at St. Louis. He showed some mobility, found Dez Bryant wide open on a 68-yard touchdown pass and directed a rally from a 21-0 deficit. So when he sat out Wednesday again this week, naturally the question of superstition came up. No, its probably a little deeper than that, but you can write that if it helps, Romo said with a smile. WITTEN AND GRAHAM: Witten needs 106 yards to become the third tight end in league history with 10,000 yards receiving. And hes squaring off against a standout in Jimmy Graham whos likely to join that list someday if he stays healthy. He already has 4,117 yards early in his fifth season. Witten is in his 12th year. ROB RYANS RETURN: Saints defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan returns to his old home field after the Cowboys fired him following the 2012 season. He orchestrated the biggest defensive turnaround since the 1970 merger last year, and that included holding the Cowboys to their lowest yardage total (193) in five years. SUNDAY NIGHT MAGIC: The Saints are 8-1 on Sunday night under the Payton era, easily explainable by outside linebacker Junior Galette. Sunday night football, your mamas watching, your aunt, Galette said. You know, everybody is going to be watching that game a€” your sixth-grade girlfriend. So youre going to bring your A-game. 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