LaberFred » still be in the top eight at the end of round 21 regardless o

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Al Horford is the biggest free agent ever to sign with the Boston Celtics.And hes going to try to make sure hes not the last.People around the league, they appreciate, they understand how special it is, Horford said Friday at a news conference surrounded by championship banners at the Celtics practice facility. I hope that if Im coming here, it will definitely open the door to other free agents.Horford agreed to a four-year, $113 million deal with the Celtics last week on the opening day of NBA free agency. A few hours later, he learned that Kevin Durant had spurned Bostons offer and decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors instead.It would have been nice, but I have to move on, Horford told reporters Friday morning, after he was introduced but before the contract had been approved by the NBA office.Without Durant, the Celtics missed out on a player that could have elevated the team into immediate contention for the franchises 18th NBA title. General manager Danny Ainge conceded that Horford alone doesnt do that, even on a roster that already included All-Star Isaiah Thomas.Right now it definitely makes us better, Ainge said. Were not done. We still have work to do.The news conference was delayed at the start because of a paperwork problem that kept the Celtics from saying Horford was officially signed. Owner Wyc Grousbeck said it was just a formality, but in the meantime they were only welcoming Horford to Boston.That didnt stop the players wife from taking a panoramic photo of the 17 NBA championship banners ringing the practice court. The numbers on the scoreboards had all been changed to 18 -- the next Celtics title.He might not have seen it, theres a blank banner up there on the right, Grousbeck said. Were hoping to work together on that.The Celtics have all those banners and retired numbers, but NBA free agents have traditionally been drawn more to the attractions of South Beach or the media possibilities in New York and Los Angeles. Boston has signed some big-name free agents in the past -- Shaquille ONeal and Dominique Wilkins among them -- but only at the tail end of their careers.During Ainges last roster rebuild, Timberwolves big man Kevin Garnett balked at coming to Boston -- in a trade -- until Ray Allen was acquired -- also in a trade -- and added to a roster that already had Paul Pierce. Now that the Celtics have Horford, they could be a more attractive destination for the next crop of free agents.Its a great organization. Theres a lot of history here, Horford said. I feel like everyone around the league respects it. Thats a big part of the reason why I chose to come here.This is a special place. People are open to it, he said. They will see how special it is.A 6-foot-10 center who spent his first nine years with the Hawks, Horford has averaged 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds in his career. And he saw firsthand what the Celtics were building in the playoffs this season, when Atlanta eliminated Boston in six games.Im very encouraged by the group of players that are here, he said. Young, talented hardworking players. Playing in that series, I saw the passion that they played with and how much they had gotten better during the season.The feeling is mutual.The way that he was flying around in that playoff series, and the harms way that he put us in, its great to have him here now, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.---Follow Jimmy Golen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jgolen . Saquon Barkley Youth Jersey .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Lawrence Taylor Giants Jersey . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. http://www.giantsonlineteamshop.com/daniel-jones-jersey-cheap.html .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Doug Kotar 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. Carl Banks Youth Jersey . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. Brisbanes NRL premiership campaign isnt over yet, coach Wayne Bennett insists, but he knows the slump-hit Broncos have precious little time to turn things around.The Broncos crashed to their seventh loss in nine games to Sydney Roosters on Thursday night, after a flying start to the season that had many pencilling them in for their second successive grand final appearance.Brisbane have hit the wall, no doubt. But with five regular season games remaining supercoach Bennett believe they can still find some momentum heading into September.At the moment we are not thinking about premiership hopes and we are not thinking about finishing in the top four, Bennett said of his sixth-placed side, who will still be in the top eight at the end of round 21 regardless of other results.We just have to get our game back together and if we can get our game back together the finals series is about momentum.We still have five games to go if we can get some momentum in the next two to three weeks after that.ddddddddddddMelbourne showed that last year. They were struggling with three or four games to go (to the finals) all of a sudden they got some momentum. They beat us in Brisbane then they came and beat the Roosters in the first play-off game. The Cowboys got some momentum late in the season (last year also).Brisbane pointed to the absence of rep stars Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday (both suspended) and Matt Gillett (shoulder injury) for their lacklustre showing against the Roosters. The trio will all return for Thursdays clash with St George Illawarra in Wollongong.The losing streak indicates deep problems at Red Hill, but Bennett wasnt keen on talking on those.I can put my finger on it, but you dont have enough time to hear it, he said.It is what it is. ' ' '