Thunder to bona fide star in Houston

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The three big prizes are only given out in August, September and October, so is it too early to take any notice of the Super League table? Well, I guess it depends if youre a half-full or half-empty person. http://www.hockeycapitalsnhl.com/authentic-brett-connolly-capitals-jersey/ .Most clubs have 18 Super League games remaining and while an optimistic fan might say their team have the potential to pick up 36 points, the reality is that your team will need a minimum of 20 points to finish in the top eight when we enter the next stage of the competition. But that looks a long way off for some teams. It is habits and mindset, not time or games, that become the problem to the teams in the lower half of the league table.Easter is a hugely significant milestone in the season and teams need to stay in contention to give themselves a chance when the weather starts to improve. Go on then: If Widnes finish in the top four I will be their mascot for a match! Phil Clarke The champions have started the season in a similar way to how Chelsea began the Premier League last August. Just one win in the opening five games puts them under huge pressure this week. The Giants currently sit above the Rhinos on points difference and it is unusual to see the most consistent team of the last three seasons struggle as much as they have.Huddersfields performance against Hull KR impressed me and I am certain they will win more than 50 per cent of their remaining games. Next up they have Catalans, Wakefield and Salford and I think that they will pick up six points. However, it is the top of the league that intrigues me most. Widnes and Warrington have in effect swapped places with Leeds and Huddersfield. How have they done it? Barrie McDermott has been impressed by Widnes performances in 2016 Well you could say the Wolves have bought better players. They have the two favourites to win the Man of Steel in Chris Sandow and Kurt Gidley. New players like Tom Lineham and Joe Westerman have added to the squads ability, plus you could argue that they underachieved in 2015 and are more where they should be this campaign.But how do you explain that the Vikings are top of the table? Playing one more than most of the others helps but their squad of players has remained virtually the same. Stefan Marsh, Corey Thompson, Denis Betts and Joe Mellor look ahead to Widnes trip to Wigan on Thursday Widnes have doubled the number of league points after six rounds compared with last year but perhaps more impressively, they have played the best rugby and provided the most entertainment. Admittedly, two of their wins have been against the bottom two teams but they have also beaten Leeds and Huddersfield in convincing fashion. Those wins did come when their opponents had several injuries but timing is everything in life and they had theirs spot on when they beat Hull last week. Sky Live: Wigan v Widnes Joe Mellor says Super League leaders Widnes will be out to make a statement The Vikings have now scored 39 tries in six games and in Corey Thompson they possess a player who could finish the season with the top try scorer award. In addition to him, they have Chris Houston in the second row and Setaimata Sa, but none of those players were big-money signings and I suppose you have to give credit to the coach.From what I see and hear, along with Daryl Powell, Denis Betts is the best coach in the competition and the teams improvement is a reflection of his ability, intelligence and experience. However, their game against Wigan on Thursday will be by far their hardest challenge of the season and perhaps the first time they have faced a top-four team with a healthy squad to choose from. The Warriors will be too strong for the Vikings and we will see them as a mid-table team.I am scared of making any predictions about where Widnes will finish in 2016. I have seen what Gary Lineker said about Leicester City and dont want to strip down to my underwear! I still think that if they finish in the top eight after 23 rounds they will have done remarkably well but I am still not convinced that they will be able to do that.Go on then: If Widnes finish in the top four I will be their mascot for a match!Join the Men United March Join the Sky Sports rugby league team as they walk from York City FC to Elland Road One of the greatest things about working with Sky Sports is the opportunity to meet people from other sports, to share stories with them and learn from them. Well, next week gives me the chance to do that in a different way. On Tuesday, March 22, Brian Carney, Bill Arthur, Barrie McDermott and I will be joining Jeff Stelling from Soccer Saturday on the Men United March.We are linking up with Jeff for one of the 10 days in which he will walk from Hartlepool United to Wembley, and you can join us too. Its all in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, a charity that the rugby league department at Sky have supported for the last four years after some of the team were affected by it.You may have noticed some of us wearing the little badge on screen. Its called the Man of Men, and the entire Leeds Rhinos squad wore them when they attended the Sports Personality awards at the end of last year - with Kevin Sinfield clinching the runners-up award. Jeff Stelling is walking 10 marathons in 10 days Anyone can take part in this great walk, you just need to register at www.menunitedmarch.org. If you come along you can talk rugby with us, football with Chris Kamara, Charlie Nicholas and Ray Wilkins, or just have a laugh up front with Jeff and the other walkers. Sinfield and Eddie Hemmings aim to be at Elland Road as we complete the 29-mile trek from York. It is a rugby section of this walk as we pass through the home of last terms domestic treble winners.It is a long way I know but its for a great cause and it will be a great laugh. We get to stroll through some beautiful Yorkshire countryside and listen to some stories that dont get told on television.If you cant make the walk but want to support Jeff and the rest of us then visit www.menunitedmarch.org or text JEFF to 70004 to donate £3. Also See: Sky Live: Widnes v Wigan Vikings prepare for Wigan test Chester named Wakefield coach Leeds v St Helens: Key battles http://www.hockeycapitalsnhl.com/authentic-dale-hunter-capitals-jersey/ .com) - The Denver Nuggets snapped a losing streak last time out and will try to carry that momentum Saturday night when they welcome the Indiana Pacers to the Pepsi Center. http://www.hockeycapitalsnhl.com/authentic-ilya-samsonov-capitals-jersey/ . He even addressed his group of relievers Sunday morning. Dustin McGowan made those worries a nonfactor, at least for a day. McGowan pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, Colby Rasmus hit a grand slam and Melky Cabrera added a two-run homer as the Blue Jays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. http://www.hockeycapitalsnhl.com/authentic-matt-niskanen-capitals-jersey/ . NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production.HOUSTON -- New Rocket Dwight Howard is healthy and talking about bringing a championship to Houston. "We have an opportunity to do something special if we stay together and stay focused," Howard said Friday on the eve of Houstons training camp. He was slowed last year after off-season back surgery, which played a part in a disappointing and difficult season with the Lakers. The centres signing propelled the James Harden-led Rockets from a young and talented group to immediate contenders. "For me, being healthy, I think its going to bring back a lot of the things that Ive done in the past," Howard said. "Im very excited about it." The Rockets gave him a four-year deal worth about $88 million, a year less and far below the $118 million the Lakers could have offered. But Howard was ready for a fresh start after a tumultuous time in Los Angeles, which included an admission that there were times that he wasnt having fun and what many believed to be a strained relationship with Kobe Bryant. He wasnt interested in talking too much about last season, but acknowledged the difficulties of the year. "It happened," he said. "Its over with. It didnt work out on both sides, so we have to move on." Then he raved about the relationships hes already built with his new teammates and his excitement about playing on such a young, energetic team. "Im in a better place mentally, spiritually and physically," Howard said. Howard, point guard Jeremy Lin and Harden were among several players who spent time in Aspen, Colo. in the off-season working with Houston great Hakeem Olajuwon. Howard and Lin separately relayed a story about a time during the workouts where Lin lobbed a bad and high pass intended for Howard. Lin immediately began to apologize for the errant throw, but there was no need. Howard jumped up to grab it and dunked it with ease. "I was like: Oh, wow. OK, thats good for me," Lin said of that moment. "He makes my job easier." Howard chuckled as he recalled the play. "He was in shock that I actually caught it because he hasnt seen that and its been a while since I was able to do that kind of stuff,&qquot; Howard said. Authentic Customized Capitals Jerseys. "So I think my health is coming back. Im getting some of the bounce back in my legs. It takes a while to recover from back surgery." The Rockets reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 last season and battled back from a 3-0 deficit before being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6. Harden went from being a sixth man with the Thunder to bona fide star in Houston. Hes looking forward to doing even more with the addition of Howard. "We have all the right pieces," Harden said. "We have a lot of talent in that locker room. We have no more excuses. Were just trying build on what we did last season." General manager Daryl Morey believes pairing Howard with Harden gives Houston its best chance to win since the team featured Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. "We have two top-10 players in the league," Morey said. "They have to continue to prove that, but both of them have played at extremely high levels. In the league youve got to have at least one and its great to have two like we have now playing at an elite level. Then you have guys who can play a role and play it well around them." The Rockets are also looking forward to the possibility of playing Howard and last years starting centre, 7-foot Omer Asik, at the same time. "Our focus as a team is on the defensive end," Howard said. "(Omer and I) have an opportunity to really mess up a lot of teams on the defensive end because of our presence." Houston coach Kevin McHale noted the development of Lin in his first season in Houston. A year removed from "Linsanity" in New York, McHale thinks Lin made great progress in his first full season in the NBA after playing just 64 games combined in his first two seasons. Lin isnt comfortable with being the focal point of a team and enjoys having a lower profile on a team with featuring Howard and Harden. "From a personal standpoint, theres a lot less pressure this season," Lin said. 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