FIVE NBA THOUGHTS: 1. DEMAR DEROZAN (Raptors): His numbers of late are quite impressive, but more importantly to me, I see a guy who has matured and is very professional. Hes prepared to play and he hates to lose. He has good competitive spirit. His confidence is growing and he knows now what works for him and what doesnt. There have been some stretches this year where I look out on the court and see a guy who is the best player on the court on either team. Can he build that into being a guy who is at that level consistently game to game? Only time will tell, but Im definitely seeing a guy this season from the start of training camp until now who is totally engrossed in his craft and has paid the price in the off-season working on his skills, strength and conditioning to move himself to another peg in the progression of his game. 2. DERRICK WILLIAMS (Kings): The former second-overall pick of the Timberwolves (2011) is shipped to Sacramento. Maybe a fresh start will help him. Hes a combo 3-4 or 4-3, whichever way you want to put it. Hes a guy more comfortable with his game working 15 feet and in, though hes capable of making threes. The bottom line is, when a team that invested heavily in you gives up on you so early, youve got to look in the mirror and ask why and make the adjustments in your game and approach to improve. The Kings need scoring and hell be able to provide that. It goes to show that in todays NBA, you need to bring at least one or two discernable high-end skills to the table and excel at those to carve out your niche. If youre pretty good-to-average at everything and are stuck between positions, you kind of get caught in no mans land. Williams is young player who still has plenty of time to figure it out. This is a wake-up call though. 3. ERSAN ILYASOVA (Bucks): Hes had a disappointing season so far, only averaging nine points per game and four boards per game, but injuries have been a factor. Ive always been a fan of his game because hes a tough competitor who battles on the glass, plays hard and shoots it well from distance. It just seems something always gets out of kilter for him with Milwaukee. Hes a guy, if they sour on him, whos worth a look from a bunch of teams if he gets dangled out there on the market. I firmly believe that hes a good player and with the right point guard situation, could thrive. 4. BRADLEY BEAL (Wizards): Hes now out for a few weeks with a leg injury. I saw him on Friday night in Toronto and I gotta tell you: I love his game. Hes got a beautiful stroke. When I watch him and John Wall together, Im fascinated by their potential as a back court. Hes greatly developed the ability to create his own shot and he and Wall could be an intriguing duo for a long time. Hopefully, this injury doesnt set him back too far, as hes really starting to come into his own. 5. JOSH McROBERTS (Bobcats): With big free agent signee, Al Jefferson being out for most of the start of the season (Hes played in only six games, so far,) coach Steve Clifford has needed steady play in his front court on a back court-dominated team. McRoberts stats (9 PPG, 5 RPG and 4 APG) wont jump off the page at you, but hes been reliable. Hes a good system guy with nice versatility in his game. You dont need to run plays for him and he can shoot threes and is a very clever passer. McRoberts is a good teammate who knows and accepts his role and has allowed his team the ability to keep the floor spaced with his face-up game. Sometimes less is more and McRoberts does what hes supposed to do and keeps his ego in check. Hes a good role player. Ed Davis Blazers Jersey . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Authentic Clyde Drexler Jersey . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. http://www.theblazersteamshop.com/mason-plumlee-blazers-jersey/ . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Noah Vonleh Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Authentic Mason Plumlee Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year.MADRID, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half to give Real Madrid a hard-fought 2-1 away win at Elche in the Spanish league Wednesday. In a lacklustre, strategic match, Elche defender Eduardo Albacar struck a free kick that David Lomban back-headed toward goal, forcing an athletic save from goalkeeper Diego Lopez in the 10th minute. Ronaldo scored from a direct free kick in the 50th minute which bounced just in front of goalkeeper Manuel Herrera, who got a touch but was unable to deflect the ball. "It was a very difficult match in which our opponents played very well and caused us some problems, and there was that goal near the end that we shouldnt have conceded," said Lopez. Ghanaian striker Richmond Boakye who is on loan to Elche from Juventus, headed a perfectly-aimed shot into goal from an Albacar cross in injury time. Madrid was then awarded a much-argued penalty one minute later as defender Pepe wrestled with Elche midfielder Carlos Sanchez in the penalty area during a free kick. Ronaldo stepped up to convert the shot, six minutes into injury time. "We have to be realists, but they have scored two goals against us from two actions that from my point of view should not have gone against us,&quuot; said Albacar.dddddddddddd "I end up with the sensation that they have robbed us. From having got a draw against a very good team, I go away feeling weve been mugged." Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said that as a general rule he did not like talking about referees decisions. "Its difficult to comment because my position from the bench is not so good, but I spoke to Pepe and he told me the penalty was clear." Madrids recent star signing Gareth Bale was sidelined due to a left thigh injury sustained during training last week. Elsewhere, two goals each by Ivan Rakitic and Carlos Bacca gave Sevilla a 4-1 win over nine-man Rayo Vallecano. Adrian Gonzalez pulled one back for Rayo in the 55th Rayo lost defender Alejandro Galvez in the 65th minute on a second yellow card offence and forward Jonathan Viera in the 81st on a straight red card. An injury time goal by Brazil midfielder Jonas gave Valencia a 1-0 win over Granada. Barcelona leads the standings with Atletico Madrid second-place, also on 18 points after six matches, but on a worse goal differential. Real Madrid is third on 16 with Valencia seventh on nine, while Granada is 14th on five, Elche is 18th on three and Rayo is bottom, also on three. Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '