FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. KYLE LOWRY (Raptors): This is great news for Raps fans. He was in a nice spot with demand from other teams and he cashed in quite well. Bottom line, market value sets the price point and its the cost of doing business. Hes the heart and soul of their team and was an important guy to keep, mission accomplished. This is an important point to consider - the fact that he makes more money doesnt mean hes going to be an even better player than he was last year. Its a tough thing for players who sign big deals; they feel they need to live up to the money and contract. Realistically, if he can provide them what he did last season on a consistent basis and stay healthy the next three to four years - where do I sign up? Good get even if the money is a tad bit high but again its all about right place and right time for Lowry and for the Raptors. Its a deal that makes both good basketball and organizational sense. I love the addition of Patrick Patterson as a restricted free agent to the mix as well. Hes a good young player whose best days lie ahead for him. His perimeter shooting, defence, rebounding and overall toughness are a good piece for this group. Obviously, he ended up being for the Raps what Andrea Bargnani was supposed to be yet at a much more reasonable price. Good deal. Hopefully Greivis Vasquez gets done soon as well. Fingers crossed. Off to a nice start though. Masai Ujiris surely has planned his work and is working his plan. 2. BEN GORDON (Magic): What a Country! I cant believe he got a two-year deal, even if whole money amount isnt guaranteed. Im sure if former Detroit Pistons president, Joe Dumars is walking on a beach this summer thinking about the moves that cost him his job; this guy and Charlie Villaneuvas deals are right at the top of the list. He gets another chance to resuscitate his career with Magic but Im skeptical of this one. 3. SHAUN LIVINGSTON (Warriors): Im happy for him. Hes battled back from major injury in his career and hes not the player he once was in his early Clippers days, but he has reinvented himself and thats a testament to his work ethic and character. Hes a dependable pro and plays the game hard and right. Hell be a nice mature addition to Coach Steve Kerrs locker room. 4 LeBRON JAMES (Heat): Pat Rileys has to be sweating a bit here. So far no luck attracting the other pieces to compliment the King and hes evaluating his options as he should. He is legitimate by the contract he and the heat negotiated in good faith. Who knows how it will all work out with him and even a guy like Carmelo Anthony. Bottom line, guys want to get paid at the highest level as well as the mid and lower tier players. Your sales pitch as a team beyond winning is still how much cap space do you have and what percentage of it am I getting? 5. NO STATE INCOME TAX: You hear this all the time about states like Texas and Florida, that their free agent pitches have a built in competitive advantage. Heres my question; in cap-centric leagues like the NBA, NHL and NFL, I wonder why this loophole wouldnt be closed. In my opinion, the cap is set up to level the playing field and teams in states that have a distinct advantage with the net income equation have the upper hand. Not sure if this has ever been considered but my thought is based upon this advantage - why dont the leagues set the cap based upon what the money means on the back end in net income per team, so its equal. In 98 per cent of the cases youre dealing with players that are in the highest taxable tax bracket in their state or Country, so why not do the research and base the cap number (which is equal) to the after tax value in each market and even the cap that way. Again, Im not sure if its ever been discussed or if it even makes any sense, Im just thinking out loud. Its probably too complicated an issue to work on but for the life of me I cant tell you why those teams in tax friendly states gain a major advantage. Its an issue for minds much greater than mine (not saying much there!) to figure out. Probably a wasted thought but thats what Im here for! Have a GREAT weekend! Nike Air Max 270 Flynit Nz . Sections of the British media reported Friday that Brooklyn Beckham, the son of United great David, was invited to a training session at the club on Thursday. Nike Air Max Plus Nz . Nikolai Khabibulin was yanked in the second period, and the Ottawa Senators looked ready to put away a big road win. http://www.airmaxnzwholeale.com/.com) - Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 12 points in the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 70-55 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Air Max 200 Nz .C. -- Authorities say the brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has been shot and killed outside a South Carolina nightclub. Air Max 97 Mens Nz . He made the comment at a media availability Saturday prior to Game 2 of the Boston-Montreal playoff series when a Quebec reporter said there is sentiment in Quebec that the NHL looks more favourably on Seattle than Quebec City when it comes to future expansion.SAN ANTONIO - Doug Carr stopped 27 shots for his first-career shutout and Max Reinhart had a goal and two assists as the Abbotsford Heat blanked the host San Antonio Rampage 3-0 in American Hockey League action on Friday. Zachery Davies opened the scoring for the Heat (42-25-8) with a power-play goal at 3:07 of the first period and Emile Poirier made it 2-0 with his first--career goal at 14:43.dddddddddddd After a scoreless second period, Reinhart made it 3-0 at 12:00 of the third. Drew Shore led the Rampage (30-37-9) with four shots on net while Scott Clemmensen turned away 19-of-22 shots in a losing cause. Abbotsford went 1 for 3 on the power play while the Rampage failed to score on five chances with the man advantage. ' ' '