TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on Pau Gasol, the improving Raptors, Eric Gordon, Rajon Rondo, and tough times for the Bulls in Chicago. 1. PAU GASOL (Lakers): There are rumours out of L.A. that the Lakers are open to moving the big man. He and Coach Mike DAntoni dont see eye to eye about his role and how he needs to be utilized in the offence. Hes a wonderfully talented player yet when I was in L.A. eight days ago for the Raptors game I was surprised to see how little explosion and pop he had in his game. He played with little passion/force and for a guy thats getting paid big money thats inexcusable. Yes, you dont like your role but dont pout about it. Play through adversity. 2. RAPTORS ARE BETTER: Watching Toronto the past two games vs. Philly and at Chicago, this is a better team. More traditional playing inside/out, much better ball distribution, role definition and balance in the offence. In addition, the second unit has a little more pop in it with Patterson, Vasquez and Salmons along with Tyler Hansbrough. It will be interesting to see with this development to see the approach of GM Masai Ujiri to the trade prospects as they pertain to Kyle Lowry and Im sure folks will be calling about Amir Johnson who has a very reasonable contract and produces consistently. Both guys would be valuable pieces for contending teams. Do you sell, hold or buy? Fascinating stuff. 3. ERIC GORDON (Pelicans): His team has had a nice season at 11-11 so far. More importantly, hes played in all 22 games. Hes had injury issues over the years and many questions about his durability and love for the sport as well. Hes been very effective at 16 ppg and shooting a reasonable 44 per cent field goal percentage and 39 per cent three-point percentage so far. Coach Monty Williams has done a nice job bringing this young team along and showing patience. Having Ryan Anderson back in the mix with his brilliant shooting and toughness helps. How they ride out the Anthony Davis injury will be huge yet the presence of Gordon consistently has been a pleasant compliment to this growing team. 4. RAJON RONDO (Celtics): Cleared for contact yet probably a few weeks to a month away from playing. Theyre in first place in the Atlantic Division. Im sure GM Danny Ainge is just thrilled with that. What do you do? Hell be a huge trade piece for them when hes ready to go or do you play him when hes ready? Hes a terrific competitor and player and instantly makes a team much better. The minute hes healthy and ready to go the offers for him will come pouring in and Im sure Ainge hears daily from fellow GMs kicking the tires about his availability. Keep an eye on this one. 5. NATE ROBINSON & MARCO BELINELLI (Nuggets, Spurs): Was in Chicago on Saturday for the Raptors game and I feel awful for Derrick Rose and the Bulls fans. The building was silent and dead - the fans are in mourning about the direction of their team. The more I watched their team I kept saying to myself that theyve got so little offensive creativity and explosiveness that theyre going to labour to score and win consistently. They miss Robinson and Belinelli big-time. Both can score and create their own shot and opportunities for others. With all due respect to DJ Augustin, its going to take him some time to get comfortable and to find his confidence. Not sure what the direction GM Gar Forman wants to take this thing yet but based upon what Ive seen of this unit of late theyre so offensively challenged they are in trouble. You can defend until youre blue in the face - you still gotta put the rock in the basket. Shows how fragile this business is. Two years ago they were the up and coming team in the East, and now theyre barely staying afloat. San Francisco 49ers Jerseys China . -- C.J. 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Cheap San Francisco 49ers Gear . Beckham says "nothing has been confirmed yet, but its something I am very excited about." He adds that "Miami is something that really excites me because there is a great energy down there.BURNABY, BC – Ahead of Saturdays Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) opener at Swangard Stadium, Canada head coach Kieran Crowley has released his starting roster to face Japan. The international test match, which will be LIVE on TSN and streamed at www.irb.com at 6pm pt/9pm et, will be the first game of the year for Canadas Mens Fifteens Team. Having won their last sevens games, including last weekend against 8th ranked Samoa, the Brave Blossoms pose a stiff challenge for Canada. Japan has had Canadas number on recent occasions, including a 16-13 victory last year in Nagoya which was Canadas only loss of the PNC. Newly appointed Captain Tyler Ardron will lead the team from the number 8 position, with Jebb Sinclair and John Moonlight also in the back-row. Canadas tight-five includes the experienced front-row of Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill and Jason Marshall with Tyler Hotson and Jamie Cudmore in the engine room. Calgary, Albertas Gordron McRorie is set to receive his first cap after being announced as starting scrumhalf and Harry Jones will lead the backline from flyhalf. "Its a huge honour for me to be selected for my first cap against Japan this weekend and I look forward to the challenge," said McRorie after the announcement. The centre pairing of Nick Blevins and Ciaran Hearn, who started side-by-side on six occasions last year for Canada including against Japan, slot in outside of Jones. Canadas back-three includes an exciting blend of speed, power and experience with the announcement of Taylor Paris and Jeff Hassler on the wing and James Pritchard at fullback. Canadas substitutions consist of Andrew Tiedemann, Aaron Carpenter, Jake Ilnicki, John Phelan and Adam Kleeberger in the forwards with Phil Mack, Connor Braid and DTH van der Merwe in the backs. Unavailable for selection for Canada due to injuries were Liam Underwood and Nanyak Dala. Added to Canadas training roster was Albertas Kyle Gilmour after a strong showing in last weekends BC Invitational versus Canada Selects game at Klahanie Park in West Vancouver. "I think theres some really good depth in this group, and theres a lot of good competition amongst the roster," said Crowley. "Japan are a strong, well-coached side and they will be a difficult game for us. We narrowly lost last year in Nagoya and I know our guys will be keen to take them on again on Saturday." CANADAS ROSTER TO FACE JAPAN: 1. Hubert Buyddens – (Manawatu Turbos/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK 2.dddddddddddd Ray Barkwill – (Niagara Wasps RFC/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON 3. Jason Marshall – (Atlantique Stade Rochelais) Vancouver, BC 4. Tyler Hotson – (London Scottish RFC) Vancouver, BC 5. Jamie Cudmore – (ASM Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC 6. Jebb Sinclair – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Fredericton, NB 7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON 8. Tyler Ardron – Captain (Ospreys/Ontario Blues) Lakefield, ON 9. Gordon McRorie – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB 10. Harry Jones – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC 11. Taylor Paris – (SU Agen Lot-et-Garonne) Barrie, ON 12. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB 13. Ciaran Hearn – (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL 14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys/Prairie Wolf Pack) Okotoks, AB 15. James Pritchard – (Bedford Blues) Parkes, NSW, Australia 16. Andrew Tiedemann – (Castaway Wanderers/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB 17. Aaron Carpenter – (Cornish Pirates RFC) Brantford, ON 18. Jake Ilnicki – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Williams Lake, BC 19. Jon Phelan – (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC 20. Adam Kleeberger – (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) White Rock, BC 21. Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC 22. Connor Braid – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC 23. DTH van der Merwe – (Glasgow Warriors) Regina, SK Unavailable due to Injury: Nanyak Dala – (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon Wild Oats) Saskatoon, SKLiam Underwood – (Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON CANADAS MENS STAFF: Kieran Crowley – Head CoachGareth Rees – ManagerNeil Barnes – Assistant CoachBen Herring – Assistant CoachMike Shelley – Assistant CoachCalum Ramsay – Performance AnalystDanielle Mah - PhysiotherapistCarla Brash, Mike Cook – Athletic TherapistsAndy Evans – Strength and Conditioning CoachTodd Silverthorn – Assistant ManagerJames Kent – Logistics and Assistant AnalystMark Winokur – Assistant ManagerPete Du Toit – Team DoctorBryan Kelly – Media Manager Wholesale MLB Orioles JerseysRed Sox Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Yankees Jerseys OnlineRays Jerseys For SaleBlue Jays Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB White Sox JerseysIndians Jerseys For SaleTigers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Astros JerseysCheap Baseball Angels JerseysAthletics Jerseys From ChinaMariners Jerseys For SaleCheap Baseball Rangers JerseysBraves Jerseys For SaleDiscount Marlins Jerseys OnlineDiscount Mets Jerseys OnlinePhillies Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Nationals JerseysCubs Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Reds Jerseys OnlineBrewers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Pirates JerseysWholesale MLB Cardinals JerseysDiamondbacks Jerseys For SaleRockies Jerseys For SaleDiscount Dodgers Jerseys OnlineDiscount Padres Jerseys OnlineGiants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '