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Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. Demeco Ryans Jersey . This week, they discuss the NBAs fine on the Toronto Raptors, the ice bucket challenge, Candlestick Park and Jimmy Grahams reaction to the NFLs goal-post no dunking" rule. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star My thumb is up to the $25,000 tampering fine that the NBA levied against the Toronto Raptors this week. The fine came after the rapper Drake, the teams unpaid but omnipresent global ambassador, spotted league MVP Kevin Durant in the crowd during a Toronto concert and all but openly recruited him with the aid of a chanting crowd. So, the team received the fine, and its about time. Drake is popular in NBA circles, and you can bet hes talked to guys like Durant off-stage, too. In the NBA, the best players choose their destinations, and even if the NBA insists they never asked for Drakes removal as ambassador, that makes him sound like a threat, right? Which, he may yet be. And finally, with this fine, the Raptors have at least paid something for his services. Steve Simmons, Sun Media My thumb is up to the ice bucket challenge, the charitable campaign inspired and enhanced by social media that has worked so well to raise money for the dreadful disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Suddenly, in recent days weve seen the likes of Sidney Crosby, Gary Bettman, Henrik Lundqvist, P.K. Subban from the hockey world and other athletes and celebrities dumping a bucket of ice over their head inspiring donations worldwide, the likes of which we have never seen before. A year ago this timeframe, ALS had raised $32,000 in a two-week period. Since the ice bucket challenge began, the brainchild of former college baseball player and ALS sufferer Peter Frates, more than $5.5 million has been pledged. Sometimes a simple idea, for all the right reasons, with the aid of social media, can go an awfully long way. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated My thumb is up to memories of San Franciscos Candlestick Park, the 54-year-old stadium whose swan song was sung this week at a concert by Paul McCartney. It was fitting Sir Paul closed the place considering the Beatles gave their last live performance there, in 1966. Candlestick chilled the body. Giants fans wore parkas in June. But it often warmed the sporting soul. This was hallowed ground where Willie Mays roamed center field and Joe Montana connected with Dwight Clark on "the catch." The Stick held up well, especially during the 89 World Series as I sat worriedly in the auxiliary press box during the Loma Prieta earthquake. For that, and for everything, thanks. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is down to Jimmy Graham, the New Orleans Saints standout tight end, who is probably the best at his position in the NFL, even better than the grown-ups. Graham is responsible for the so-called "goal-post no dunking" rule because he went too far and managed to bend a goal post. Well, he hates the rule, has vowed to protest it by ignoring it, which he did twice after touchdowns on Friday night. Now, you can call it the "no fun league," you can say that pre-season games arent to be taken too seriously and that unsportsmanlike penalties after touchdowns are no big deal, but if you play for Saints coach Sean Payton, who was suspended for a year by the NFL, you do not show up the league because you know your coach - any coach, I guess - will tear into you. Thats what Payton did and Graham yelled back and a sideline shouting match ensued, during kindergarten. Nolan Carroll Jersey . CSN New England reports that the team is interested in Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, whom they reportedly tried to acquire last off-season. Trent Cole Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. SUN CITY, South Africa -- Thomas Bjorn carved out two eagles in his last nine holes, one brilliant and one a little lucky, to come from behind and win the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Sunday, closing with a 65 for 20-under overall and a two-shot victory. Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales wasted a three-shot advantage with a final-round 70 and tied for second with Sergio Garcia (65). Bjorns sweet five iron into No. 10 set up the first eagle to push him past Donaldson. The Dane had his second on No. 14 after his approach pitched in a bunker and rolled up onto the green. "They were two big moments," Bjorn said. "Obviously having two eagles on the back nine on a Sunday doesnt happen very often. The shot into 14 was a bit fortunate but thats what happens when you win golf tournaments, I guess." The $1.25 million winners check at Sun City is the 42-year-old Bjorns biggest prize and its his 15th European Tour title. Donaldson was bidding to become the first debut winner at Sun City since Zimbabwes Mark McNulty in 1986 but bogeyed No. 9, and couldnt find any more birdies until No. 17. Garcias challenge slipped away with a dropped shot on No. 16 after a run of four straight birdies at the end of his front nine, allowing Bjorn to bogey the last at Gary Player Country Club and still win. Bjorns triumph was hailed by fans in the galleries on No. 18 waving streams of South African flags in latee afternoon sunshine on a day dedicated in the country to prayer and reflection following the death of former President Nelson Mandela. Cody Parkey Jersey. The tournament stood for a rendition of the South African anthem at the end. "I think to the whole world he was just an inspiration to human beings. He was a great man," Bjorn said of Mandela at the trophy presentation. "To see what one man can do, its an inspiration to all of us. If we all just did a bit more, this world would be a better place." FedEx Cup and European money list winner Henrik Stenson was fourth on 6 under after his 67 in the No. 3-ranked Swedes first tournament back since ending last season as the worlds best-performing player. Brendon de Jonge (66) was fifth on 15 under and Charl Schwartzel (66) sixth on 13 under, the highest placed South African. Ryan Moore of the United States, another Sun City rookie, was in contention through three rounds before a 73 on Sunday took him back to a tie for seventh with U.S. Open champion Justin Rose. Home favourite and three-time champion Ernie Els had to deal with news of Mandelas passing on Thursday and the death of his former psychological coach on Saturday, and ended with a second straight 77 to finish 12 over par and second from last in the expanded 30-man field. This is the first year the Nedbank has been part of the European Tours schedule. ' ' ' |
