returned to the lineup Thurs

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HOUSTON -- Craig Sager never once thought about giving up as he battled cancer for more than two years.Man, life is too beautiful, too wonderful, theres just too many things, he said in late August. Its not just you. Its your family and kids and all. Fight. Fight until the end. Fight as hard as you can.The end for the beloved TNT broadcaster came Thursday when the man known as much for his outrageous wardrobe as his relationships with the NBAs elite succumbed to the disease he fought so hard to overcome. Turner Sports announced his death without disclosing details. He was 65 and had worked basketball games for TNT for nearly a quarter-century.There will never be another Craig Sager, Turner President David Levy said. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.His son, Craig Jr., posted a loving video tribute to his father, tweeting: We packed a lifetime and then some into these 28 years together.Sagers passing brought out condolences from every corner of the NBA and Hall of Famer Larry Bird expressed what many were feeling.He was as identifiable with the NBA as any player or coach, Bird said. The league will not be the same without him.Magic Johnson echoed those sentiments on Twitter.The NBA family lost a legend who changed the way sideline reporters did their job. RIP Craig Sager, Johnson said.It wasnt just the NBA community that mourned his passing , with Vice President Joe Biden and Drake expressing sadness at the loss.Sager had two bone marrow transplants with his son as the donor before undergoing a third one from an anonymous donor at the end of August in Houston to fight an aggressive form of leukemia. To no ones surprise, he was characteristically cheerful .It really isnt all that painful, not physically, he said then. I think the hardest toll is mentally and emotionally. I have this thing of positive thinking. I think if you think something is going to be right and you think positive then you feel that way and if you feel that way youll act that way. I try not to get down.Sager announced in April 2014 that he had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and he missed the playoffs and much of the following season as he underwent the first two transplants. Sager revealed in March 2016 that his leukemia was no longer in remission. He said doctors told him the typical prognosis was three to six months to live.He was overwhelmed by how news of his fight spread and people across the world started talking about the Sager Strong campaign.At first was our familys fight, Sager said. Then because of TV and TNT and people seeing me in the stands and I talk to people and then it got bigger and then that inner circle became an endless world to tell you the truth.Sager then started gaining inspiration from everyone who shared their story or reached out to show support.They saw that I refused to give up and I refused to give in and that Im still fighting it and they saw a lot of inspiration in what I was doing, he said. Now I feel Im not only fighting for what I want and what my family wants, but for everybody out there who has cancer or will.His battle brought out the soft side of Gregg Popovich, the prickly San Antonio Spurs coach with whom he had many memorable exchanges during in-game interviews.Sager never faulted Popovich for his gruff attitude during those interviews, saying hes trying to win a game. He doesnt want to talk to some reporter.Later, he said, `Youre still going to be media on the court, but off the court can I call you and see how youre doing? I said: `Heck yes, Sager recalled in August. Just keep treating me the way on the court you always do. He said: `I wouldnt want it any other way.After learning Sager had died, Popovich spoke somberly for close to two minutes before a game in Phoenix.A day like this, basketball has to take a back seat, as we all think about somebody who was very unique, very special, Popovich said. Whether you really knew Craig or not, you got the feeling that he was a very special person in a lot of different ways, and right now I just feel for his family.He was a way better person than he was a worker, even though he was amazing in that regard. He loved all the people around him and everybody felt that, he said. The most amazing part of him is his courage ... if any of us can display half the courage he has to stay on this planet, to live every life as if its his last, wed be well off.Sager sported suits in every color of the rainbow and plenty of shades not found in nature, from teal to fuchsia to magenta. He would match plaid blazers with paisley ties or striped shirts -- all in bold hues.Kevin Garnett once told him to burn an entire outfit. In a 2016 interview with HBOs Real Sports, Sager recalled how Popovich reproached him for trying to stand out. Sager explained to him: Coach, you dont understand. If Im not wearing bright colors and if I dont feel lively, its not me.Sometimes lost in the glare of his wardrobe was Sagers relentless nature as a reporter. Every time Popovich would give a terse non-answer, an unfazed Sager would pepper him with another question.Sagers persistence was on display at the start of his career, when the 22-year-old found himself in the middle of one of the most famous moments in sports history. Making $95 a week in 1974 as the news director at WSPB -- a Braves-affiliated AM radio station in Sarasota, Florida -- Sager risked getting fired by deciding to hop a flight to Atlanta for a game with Hank Aaron a home run away from breaking Babe Ruths career record.With a last-minute credential, Sager was stuck in the third-base photographers well. As the historic homer sailed out of the park, Sager, without thinking, sprinted onto the field and wound up chasing Aaron down the third-base line. When Aarons teammates mobbed him at home plate, Sager can be seen in his trench coat in the middle of the scrum.The next day, Sager caught a 5 a.m. flight to Sarasota to be back for his morning drive responsibilities, and his tapes from the game wound up in Cooperstown.Sager worked as a reporter on the Olympics, Major League Baseball playoffs, the NFL and the NCAA Tournament, among other sports. But he was indelibly connected to the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver said the true original was respected for his reporting -- and his inspiring fight. Bulls star Dwyane Wade sold paisley ties during the 2016 playoffs to raise money to combat blood cancers.Craig was as vital to the NBA as the players and coaches, Silver said. Craig earned widespread respect for his insightful reporting and inspired so many most recently with his courage.Sager got to cover his first NBA Finals in 2016 through an unusual arrangement between TNT and ESPN, which invited him to join its coverage. He marked the occasion by wearing a blazer with a royal blue floral print. In an interview with LeBron James after Game 6, the Cavaliers star turned the tables to giddily ask Sager a question: How in the hell do you go 30-plus years without getting a Finals game?He was self-deprecating when asked what the outpouring of support from across the NBA meant to him.It means that Im not just the nuisance that they see on the court when Im trying to talk to them when they want to be somewhere else, he said in August.And Sager loved everything about his job.I try to get there three hours before the game, talk with the ushers and the security guards, the coaches and the fans, Sager said in 2015.A native of Batavia, Illinois, Sager attended Northwestern, where he walked onto the football and basketball teams, and served as the schools Willie the Wildcat mascot for three years.He worked at several TV and radio stations in Florida after college before spending two years in Kansas City. Sager joined CNN in 1981 after handling the networks first live remote report during the 1980 baseball playoffs.Sager was in Dallas for a game in April 2014 when he felt ill and sought treatment from Mavericks team physician Dr. Tarek Souryal, who had previously performed Sagers knee surgery. With a dangerously low hemoglobin count, Sager had six blood transfusions over a 24-hour period before returning to Atlanta. After that came the treatments and his public battle with leukemia.Earlier this year, Sager was involved in the television coverage of the NCAA Final Four and had a memorable postgame interview with Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim.Im proud of you, Boeheim told Sager on air after the Orange lost in the national semifinals. Im really proud of you and what youre doing. Youre a fighter and thats something we all should really aspire to be. Youre setting an example that we all should be really happy to try to follow.Sager replied, Well, thank you very much.And then the professional broadcaster did what professional broadcasters do -- he went to his next question, one about Syracuses famed 2/3 zone, without missing a beat.---AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds and AP freelance writer Jose M. Romero contributed to this report. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Friday offers an intriguing mix of proven top-of-the-rotation pitchers, Francisco Liriano returning to the American League for the first time since 2012, and Tim Lincecums second career start in his home state of Washington. Fridays Daily Notes is here to provide you with the pitchers and hitters to target -- and the ones to avoid as well.PitchingEliteNoah Syndergaards projected game score is beginning to reflect a small slide in skills as well as failing to go as deep into games as earlier in the season. Though, to be fair, his skills are still exceptional and part of the reason for a lower projected game score than usual is a challenging road tilt against the Detroit Tigers. There arent any other elite arms to recommend over Thor, so using him in cash games is understandable but more of a risk than usually incurred.SolidTruth be told, Syndergaards mound foe, Justin Verlander, lines up better for cash play, especially on sites where the win isnt as important. Granted, the New York Mets have added Jay Bruce to their already mostly left-handed lineup and get to use a designated hitter, but overall, Verlander faces a less daunting task than his counterpart. Verlander isnt without risk himself as he has been mixing in the occasional stinker amid a string of solid efforts. Still, Verlander has tossed at least seven innings 13 times, failing to last at least six innings only four times this season, which is what you want from your cash game pitcher.Jon Lester didnt have a good July, recording a 7.36 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. The veteran southpaw looks to kick off his August on a high note as he returns to a place he called home for a couple of months as the Chicago Cubs?take on the Oakland Athletics. There isnt a lot of strikeout upside as the hosts whiff at a stingy 17 percent clip with a lefty on the hill, but Lester should keep run scoring to a minimum so hes in play for cash action.Jeremy Hellickson was thought to be on the move at the trade deadline, but he remains with the Philadelphia Phillies, at least for now. The resurgent righty will take the hill in Petco Park, facing a San Diego Padres club that whiffs at a bloated 25 percent pace against right-handers. This makes Hellickson one of the top options in all formats on a busy Friday night of DFS action.Jameson Taillon has tossed four straight six-inning outings without issuing any free passes, fanning 22 over those 24 innings. The 24-year right-hander is in a good spot to keep the roll going as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds in an NL Central tussle. The visitors already weak lineup not only lost Jay Bruce but is taking a big park hit in PNC Park. This puts Taillon in play as a DFS cash or GPP option.Pop quiz, what team leads the league in run scoring over the past month? If you guessed the Minnesota Twins, youve been paying excellent attention. If you knew that, you also are probably aware that Blake Snell enjoyed a stellar July, boasting a 2.76 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, supported by a dominant 10.1 K/9. Something has to give in Tropicana Field on Friday night as one of the leagues hottest offenses squares off with a pitcher on a roll. This makes Snell an intriguing GPP option for those looking to avoid dealing with Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer and the white-hot Max Kepler.Can a 24-year old have a revenge game in his third career start? Braden Shipley made his Arizona Diamondbacks debut against the Milwaukee Brewers and was lit up pretty good in Miller Park, giving up six runs and eight hits, including three homers in 5 1/3 innings. The rookie rightys second start was much better as he tossed six scoreless in Dodger Stadium. Now Shipley gets the Brewers again, this time in Chase Field, putting him in the mix for GPP play, facing a club that fans at a healthy 26 percent pace versus righties.StreamersAs will be discussed in a bit, theres a litany of arms to avoid, which doesnt leave many streaming options meeting our unofficial criteria of checking in with a game score between 46 and 52 with less than 50 percent ownership in ESPN leagues. If theres someone that isnt discussed that piques your interest, please use the comments below and Ill help you out. Alternatively, shoot me a tweet to @ToddZola if the answer takes fewer than 140 characterrs.dddddddddddd.Francisco Liriano sits exactly at 50 percent ownership so he makes the cut for his first outing with the Toronto Blue Jays. At home, the inconsistent lefty will be a huge risk, but on the road hell often be in play. Friday presents such an opportunity as the lefty will take on the Kansas City Royals in Kauffman Stadium. It doesnt hurt that Lirianos mound foe is Dillon Gee so run support shouldnt be an issue.Despite pitching well lately, Ervin Santana has not reaped the benefits of his clubs new-found offensive prowess, at least not in terms of wins. Santanas draw isnt easy as hell face Snell, but the Minnesota Twins right-hander should rack up some whiffs without too much danger of a ratio blow-up.Christian Friedrich is only owned in 3 percent of ESPN leagues so hes probably available for his Petco Park outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Aaron Altherr has injected some life into Phillys lineup but overall, its still a below-average unit.AvoidOur ranking system lands five pitchers as automatic sits as they have a game score 45 or below. It should be noted that one of the quintet is David Phelps, entering the Miami Marlins rotation to take the hill in Coors Field. That must have been an interesting conversation. Phelps, come into my office, I have some good news and some bad news.Despite scuffling lately, the Chicago Cubs should be able to get things in gear facing Dillon Overton in O. Co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics southpaw has surrendered nine homers in only 18 1/3 innings.The Miami Marlins lineup might not be deep, but its top-heavy enough to sit Jorge De La Rosa in Coors Field.HittingFor those of us who really enjoyed watching Tim Lincecum in his prime, its painful to seeing him get battered with the Los Angeles Angels. The Seattle Mariners have a great chance to pad their hitting numbers with a tilt in Safeco Field. Anyone with a stick in their hands is a threat in the box against the current incarnation of Lincecum so dont get hung up on platoon splits. Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager are the high-end options. Adam Lind, Seth Smith and Nori Aoki are down a level with Mike Zunino in play as well.Its going to be hard to fade Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna as theyll face De La Rosa in Coors Field. Other Miami Marlins in play include Martin Prado, J.T. Realmuto and possibly Chris Johnson, who has been playing first base against southpaws.Martin Perez has a tall task in store as hell face the Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park. Righty swingers have been pulverizing Perez, putting George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa front and center among the top tier. This could be the setup Alex Bregman needs to jump-start his early malaise with Carlos Gomez, Evan Gattis and Tyler White in the mix as well.The St. Louis Cardinals welcome Matt Carpenter back in their home affair with the Atlanta Braves in Busch Stadium. Joining Carpenter as solid choices against righty Joel De La Cruz are Brandon Moss who also has the platoon edge along with Stephen Piscotty and Matt Holliday, despite lacking the advantage. Lefty Greg Garcia has been playing regularly with Carpenter out, but he might be in the lineup, too.Finally, the Toronto Blue Jays arent as daunting outside of Rogers Centre. However, facing Dillon Gee and his 1.7 HR/9 are in play, despite a Kauffman Stadium affair. With so many other options, using a Jays mini-stack could be fruitful. Choose a couple from Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Saunders and Troy Tulowitzki, who returned to the lineup Thursday.Most likely to hit a homer: Giancarlo StantonOn a slate like this, perhaps we should be looking for the most likely to hit more than one homer. Its going to be fun watching Stanton take hacks in Coors, beginning Friday night against De La Rosa.Most likely to steal a base: Cameron MaybinJon Lester gets a reprieve as theres no one on Oakland lined up to take advantage of his yips throwing to first. Instead, lets pick on another hurler who struggles keeping runners close and call on Maybin to do some running with Syndergaard toeing the Comerica Park rubber. ' ' '