atch against Napoli, but we are counting on the fans to help us win.Besiktas got on the board with a remarkable side-volley by Tosun, and moved closer with a penalty kick converted by Q

RIO DE JANEIRO -- When Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden were hired to take over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the expectation within in the organization and around the NBA was that they were coming in to make significant changes to a franchise with the longest-running playoff drought in the league.Ricky Rubio heard his name floated in the constant trade rumor mill, never more than after the Wolves selected Providences Kris Dunn, another point guard, with the fifth overall pick in the June draft.Rubio remained quiet throughout the summer, putting all of his focus into grieving the loss of his mother and then joining his national team to prepare for the Olympics. Now that the Rio Games have concluded and Rubio has earned a bronze medal with Spain, he said he is looking forward to returning to Minnesota to work with Dunn and reiterated his desire to remain with the Timberwolves and help turn them into a winner.Really its a challenge. When a young guy like him who has a lot of potential comes, I think we can really play together, Rubio told The Associated Press. But if we dont (share the floor often), I can really help him.Rubio said he was pleased by Thibodeaus hiring and believes the new coaching staff will make a big difference on a young, impressionable roster.I think weve got all the pieces together to make something happen, he said. Im really excited about the new coach and the new staff. They have a lot of years in their backpack and really can teach us how to reach the next level. I think we have the tools. We just have to put all them together.Thibodeau has said he can see Dunn and Rubio playing together in certain lineups, and indications within the organization are that there are no current efforts to trade the veteran starter. One of the teams biggest weaknesses last season was the lack of a solid backup to Rubio at point guard, a setup that caused the Wolves to try to move Zach LaVine from his more natural shooting guard spot.With Dunn in the mix, the Wolves have more depth now. And Rubios presence assures the team doesnt have to force a rookie into a starting spot at one of the games most important positions.The 25-year-old Rubio is entering his sixth season and has yet to see the playoffs. He said that concerns him far more than his team investing a high lottery pick on a player at his position. Rubio believes he can serve as a mentor to Dunn and hopes the two can push each other to new heights.Its something that Ive said since Day One. Rubio said. I dont want to be in the newspaper. I just want to win. Thats my goal. If I have to sacrifice something, I will to make this team a winning team.That is the mentality he took on over the summer with Spain, a team filled with proud veterans who take lesser roles when they get together in the summer to compete in the Olympics.All we do (with Spain) when we click is put all the egos apart and really click as a team, Rubio said. The guy who really knows how to (play) defense, put him in on defense. The guy who is exceptional on offense, give him credit and give him the ball. Put everything apart and the team first.Rubio has had several conversations with Thibodeau since he was hired. But they havent had the time to really dig into the situation. Thibodeau was an assistant on Team USA in Rio, so now that the Olympics are over, the two expect to have more in-depth conversations.In my five years Ive been there, definitely its the best group, Rubio said. Players, coaches, you put it all together and its the best weve ever had. The excitement is real. We have really young talent that can really take us to the next level with veterans that can help. And the coach I think is going to be the key and the difference. Cheap Nuggets Jerseys China .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Jarred Vanderbilt Jersey . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. http://www.cheapnuggetsjerseys.com/ . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Cheap NBA Jerseys . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Thomas Welsh Jersey .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. ISTANBUL -- Another late goal for Besiktas, another heartbreaking draw for Benfica.Vincent Aboubakar scored an 89th-minute equalizer as Besiktas rallied from an early three-goal deficit to draw with Benfica 3-3 on Wednesday and remain with chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the Champions League.Aboubakar scored from close range after a remarkable crossed-foot cross by veteran winger Ricardo Quaresma.Napoli and Benfica top Group B with eight points each, one ahead of third-placed Besiktas. Napoli drew 0-0 with already eliminated Dynamo Kiev in the groups other match on Wednesday.I believed even at 3-3 that we could find the fourth goal, Besiktas Cenk Tosun said. Maybe if we had scored the third goal earlier that would have happened, but we are very happy that we remained in the competition.In the last group round, Benfica hosts Napoli and Besiktas plays at Dynamo Kiev.Again, it was a disappointing finish for Benfica against the Turkish side, which scored deep in injury time to earn a 1-1 draw when they met in Lisbon in their group opener. That goal was by forward Talisca, who is owned by the Portuguese club and is on loan to Besiktas.Benfica scored three goals in the first 31 minutes on Wednesday- including one after three consecutive headers struck the woodwork -- but couldnt hold on to the victory that would have propelled the club into the next round.The more oxygen you give to your opponents, the more they grow, Benfica coach Rui Vitoria said. The result leaves a bitter taste as we played beautifully for 60 minutes. Small details can make all the difference..ddddddddddddGoncalo Guedes opened the scoring for the visitors after dribbling past the goalkeeper in the ninth minute, Nelson Semedo added to the lead with a stunning long-range shot in the 25th, and Ljubomir Fejsa scored after his teammates were denied by the woodwork three times on the same play.Kostas Mitroglou first hit the crossbar with a firm header off a free kick cross, then again off his own rebound, and midfielder Eduardo Salvio struck the post with his attempt in front of the goal. The ball bounced back toward the center of the area and Fejsa, returning from a ligament injury, finally found the net with a low left-footed shot.We did everything we could to win, Guedes said. It is going to be a difficult match against Napoli, but we are counting on the fans to help us win.Besiktas got on the board with a remarkable side-volley by Tosun, and moved closer with a penalty kick converted by Quaresma in the 83rd after a hand-ball inside the area.It nearly got the equalizer on an 88th-minute header by Aboubakar that prompted a spectacular save by Benfica goalkeeper Ederson, but the forward came through one minute later after the defense failed to clear Quaresmas right-footed cross from the left-flank. The veteran sent the ball into the area by crossing his right foot behind the left.The goal allowed Besiktas to keep alive a 15-game unbeaten streak at home.Benfica made it the quarterfinals last season, when it was eliminated by Bayern Munich. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping China NFL Gear Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Jerseys Jerseys From China ' ' '