inside for the Grizzlies low post tandem of Randolph and Gasol. "Maybe for other teams in the NBA, hes a hired gun," Joerger said. "For us, hes not a hired gun. Hes a part of the fabric of our

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Four years ago, she was the darling of the London Games, the 17-year-old high schooler who burst onto the Olympic scene and won a female-record five medals, four of them gold. Her bubbly personality and infectious, never-ending smile made her just as popular away from the pool as she was in the water.But on a windy Monday night in South America, Missy Franklins smile went away -- at least temporarily -- replaced by reddish, tear-filled eyes and a genuine sense of confusion. Her voice shook as she tried to explain how she failed to make the final in the 200-meter freestyle, finishing last in her heat and 12th overall in a time of 1:57.56.I wish I could tell you, Franklin said when asked what went wrong. I gave it everything I had and it just wasnt there. I did the best I could.Franklins time was nearly a half-second slower than her prelim time on Monday afternoon. It was the culmination of a challenging couple of years that included a back injury in 2014 and a circuitous career path that included swimming collegiately for Cal before returning to her age-group coach, Todd Schmitz, in 2015 in hopes of finding the form that stole the show in London. But it hasnt happened. Franklin was inconsistent at the Olympic trials in Omaha last month, failing to qualify for the U.S. team in the 100 backstroke, the event in which she won her first gold in London.In Rio, she was not a favorite for gold in either of her individual events -- Mondays 200 free or the 200 backstroke that she will swim on Thursday.I felt I tried a lot harder this morning, so to go slower is one of those things Ive been trying to wrap my mind around this year, whats been going wrong, but I havent been able to figure it out, Franklin said. But you dont understand everything, and understanding doesnt always bring you peace.Schmitz said Monday that he is unaware of any injuries affecting Franklin. But he and Franklin have both suggested that she has struggled at times to balance the pressures and expectations that come with turning professional and building a career off promotional endorsements. In London, she was the fresh-faced teenager who could do no wrong. In Rio, the world expects gold-medal greatness.It also isnt easy living up to a reputation of constant glee.I definitely think its something more than physical, Schmitz said. Obviously, we saw a little bit of that manifest itself at trials. There is clearly something that is not connected. She was nervous this morning -- you could see it.Franklins Rio Olympics arent over, not with the 200-meter backstroke looming Thursday, another event in which she won gold in London (in a world record time of 2:04.06). She will also compete in the 400-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday. Schmitz is optimistic the event will help lift her spirits.When she puts that cap on that says U.S. for a relay, whether its prelims, finals or both, whatever -- she brings her A-game, Schmitz said. That will help her kick over that barrier. Shes a gamer.Added Franklin: I need to keep my head up and doing what I can every day to be the best I can be right now. You just have to put it behind you.That process began seconds after Franklin spoke to reporters, when the swimmer stopped at the end of the interview area to watch on a television as teammate Katie Ledecky competed in the second semifinal of the 200 free. It is the utterly dominant Ledecky who will likely leave Rio not only with the title of the worlds greatest female swimmer -- something many had once said of Franklin - but also as the greatest swimmer in the world, period. Yet there Franklin stood, watching with great intent as Ledecky swam the second-fastest time of the semifinals. Franklin nodded up and down, clapped, and then walked away.Its easy for people to look at elite-level athletes and just think they are superhuman, Schmitz said. But they are just like the rest of us. They have good days and bad days. Its not the result we wanted. But she left it in the pool. And we have to learn from it.Fake NBA Jerseys . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Cheap NBA Jerseys . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Discount NBA Jerseys . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama.MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Mike Miller had several teams interested in his 3-point shooting as a possible missing link for a long playoff run. It didnt take him long to figure out where he wanted to be: Memphis. The sharp-shooting Miller said Tuesday that the Grizzlies are "right there" when it comes to winning a championship with what he calls the NBAs two best big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, an underrated point guard in Mike Conley and a lockdown defender in Tony Allen. So one of Millers first calls after the Miami Heat decided to amnesty him was to the Grizzlies chief executive officer Jason Levien. Miller said the two had same idea, "It was a perfect fit and how can we make this work to get back here." The two got it done. The Grizzlies announced Tuesday morning that they had signed the best 3-point shooter in franchise history as part of their efforts to improve a team coming off its first Western Conference final. Memphis did not disclose details of the contract. Miller was introduced at a midday news conference at the FedExForum, where Miller drew applause from backers as he walked out with new head coach Dave Joerger and a standing ovation after the event. "We are extraordinarily pleased to welcome Mike Miller back to Memphis," Levien said in a statement announcing the signing. "Mike is a special figure in our community both on and off the court. Mike is an elite 3-point shooter, as Grizzlies fans know firsthand, and we expect his shooting, play-making, hustle and leadership to be a key component in our team competing with the best in the NBA next season." Miller still holds eight franchise records with the Grizzlies, including 3-point shooting percentage and the most 3s made and attempted. He spent parts of six seasons with the Grizzlies from 2003 through 2008. He helped the Heat win the past two NBA titles, and has shot 41 per cent from 3-point range in his 13 NBA seasons. He will collect more than $12 million in salary from the Heat over the next two seasons. For Miller, money was a consideration along with the opportunity to return to a familiar place with the added bonus of trying put the Grizzlies into the NBA Finals. "We missed yall," Miller told fans at the news conference. "I am so happy to be back. Ten years ago, when I came here, me and my family fell in love with this community and these people. ... You guys made the decision real easy to come back here." In his previous tenure with the Grizzlies, Miller averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.33 assists.dddddddddddd He shot 47.7 per cent from the field, including 41.5 per cent from outside the arc. The 6-foot-8 guard, will be entering his 14th season after being selected out of Florida by Orlando with the fifth overall pick in the 2000 draft. He earned Rookie of the Year honours in his first season with the Magic and also was voted Sixth Man of the Year while with the Grizzlies. The theme of Tuesdays announcement was steps to a championship -- a different approach from Millers first stop in Memphis where the goal was simply to make the playoffs. Miller was part of those Grizzlies teams that set the NBA record for most playoff games lost at 12 straight. Miller now knows what it takes to make the Finals and win a title. "The difference between making the playoffs and making the Western Conference finals and making the Finals is a huge step," Miller said. "For this team to make that step ... is big. The next step is even harder, and its got to be commitment." The Grizzlies took nothing for granted pursuing Miller. Levien said he was willing to throw in "the kitchen sink" to secure him. Joerger even went to South Dakota where Miller was attending a charity event. Levien said he told Joerger "dont come back until you bring Mike with you." Joerger said Miller provides not only leadership, but the ability to stretch the floor with his long-range shooting. That should loosen up the inside for the Grizzlies low post tandem of Randolph and Gasol. "Maybe for other teams in the NBA, hes a hired gun," Joerger said. "For us, hes not a hired gun. Hes a part of the fabric of our organization for a long time. Hes part of the community for a long, long time, and it runs a lot deeper than standing out there making some 3-point shots." Miller, who has a history of back problems, said he feels better now than he has in years. He went through last season with no problems at all, and will do whatever necessary to help the team win "whether its to fill up (Joergers) glass of water or make shots." "After being a part of a championship team and seeing how hard it is to win, it takes all of that," Miller said. Miller held up his Grizzlies jersey without a number. He wore 33 when he was in Memphis before, but Gasol -- the defensive player of the year -- will be keeping that number. Miller said Gasol is too good to give up a number, and buying it from Gasol doesnt seem to be an option either. "I cant afford Marcs number," Miller said. ' ' '