FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. NBA GMs PICK RAPTORS TO WIN THE ATLANTIC DIVISION: Hows this for some earned respect? Can they do it? Yes, but far from easy. The Nets and Knicks will be the main competition, yet I think if they stay healthy and humble, they can win the division in back-to-back years for the first time. Bottom line, this year is all about improvement and getting back to the playoffs and peaking at the right time (mid-April 2015) to make a run at winning a series and then let it all hang out from there. Keep getting better. Hopefully, an enjoyable ride. 2. JABARI PARKER and ANDREW WIGGINS: On Wednesday, they hook up for a preseason game and the first of many NBA meetings between these two potential stars. I like Parker to win the Rookie of the Year. I think his game is more polished and refined at this stage of his career but I think Wiggins has more long-term potential. Its not where you start but where you finish 10, 12 years from now. Both will be a blast to watch. 3. NIKOLA VUCEVIC (Magic): Smart move getting this youngster locked up to a long-term deal. I like how hard he plays and his effectiveness both facing up and with his back to the basket. Hes a major bright spot and recipient in the Dwight Howard trade. Gotta get value back in those transactions and I feel that hes a good fit for this young squad. 4. KEVIN DURANT (Thunder): Patience is key. I like what hes saying. Steady as she goes. He loves to play so much hes the classic guy that rushes back but Im glad hes going to make sure that hes right before returning to action. His team will hang around and stay competitive in his absence - the keys is having him for the last 75-80 per cent of the season and the playoffs. Might be a blessing in disguise for him. 5. NBA LOTTERY REVISION REJECTED: Lots of chatter out there that the League was going to change the format and it makes complete sense to me. Something has to be done to make sure that teams arent giving it their best to improve. Im surprised that the vote failed. Usually a league as smart as the NBA doesnt have a vote on something like this until its got all the votes it needs to make this happen. Odd decision. Steve Young Jersey . Picard had a goal and two assists to help Canada improve to 2-0 at the tournament. Seven different players scored for the two-time defending champions. "Today all four lines played excellent," said head coach Laura Schuler. Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers Jersey . At 11:06 of the first period, Neal struck Marchand with his knee when Marchand was down on the ice. Marchand remained in the game. Neal was assessed a kneeing penalty for his hit on Marchand. http://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Terrell-Owens-Jersey/ .ca. Kerry, In the closing minutes of the second period of Game 4 between Pittsburgh and Columbus there were the remnants of two broken sticks behind the Pittsburgh net. San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . -- Phil Hughes ended a personal losing streak that dated to last July, pitching into the seventh inning Sunday and helping the Twins top the Kansas City Royals 8-3 to avoid a three-game sweep. Dante Pettis 49ers Jersey . Portuguese sides Benfica and Porto also advanced to the last eight while Basel overcame an early red card to win 2-1 at Salzburg and progress from a last-16 second leg that was briefly suspended because of crowd trouble. Lyon, Valencia and AZ Alkmaar will also be in Fridays draw in Nyon, Switzerland, where the team to avoid will be Juventus -- even though the Italian champions made heavy work of their all-Italian last-16 match against Fiorentina.The agent for forward Ryan Kesler is denying that his client has requested that the Vancouver Canucks trade him. Speaking to Adrian Dater of The Denver Post, agent Kurt Overhardt says that a report from TVA Sports saying that Kesler had asked for a trade is "a bunch of b.s.". TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that Canucks general manager Mike Gillis neither confirmed nor denied the report. Kesler, 29, is nursing a hand injury and did nnot dress on Thursday night for Vancouvers post-Olympic opener against the St.dddddddddddd Louis Blues. Rumours in recent days have suggested that the Canucks have been listening to offers for Kesler and Alex Edler. Kesler has two more years remaining on a six-year, $30 million contract. He will be paid $5 million in each of the next two seasons and his high cap hit is expected to potentially make him difficult to move before the March 5 deadline. ' ' '