sideline the first time, and Ward bemoaned the teams four turnovers and

TORONTO - Nearly eight years ago, the Raptors took a low-risk chance on an intriguing prospect out of Texas when they used a second-round draft pick to select the position-less P. Vapormax Bianche Ingrosso .J. Tucker. Tucker, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound bull, had the build of a power forward trapped in the frame of a shooting guard. By all accounts he was a misfit, destined to end up in the leagues scrapheap with the vast majority of its second-rounders. During his rookie season, Tucker played 21 games for Toronto, bouncing back and forth from the D-League before he was waived by the team less than a year into his NBA journey. After playing in six countries over the next five years, Tucker returned to the league and put up career-highs as a 28-year-old starting for the Phoenix Suns last season. The league has changed and, as a result, so has the need for players that are able to easily adapt. Enter Iowa State senior and Toronto-native Melvin Ejim, who is hoping to hear his named called sometime during the second round in this months draft. Like Tucker and many talented prospects before him, Ejim has been labeled a "tweener" - a hybrid player stuck in between positions as a result of size, strength or skill set. For a long time, the term carried a negative connotation in NBA circles. Who will he defend? How does he fit in? Now its become the norm. Tweeners, combo guards, stretch fours. As teams continue to challenge the defence with smaller, quicker lineups, the NBA is evolving into a league void of prototypical positions. On Thursday, the Miami Heat will begin their pursuit of a third consecutive title led by LeBron James, perhaps the most unique basketball player weve ever seen, capable of playing and guarding four or five positions on the floor at a high level. Last week, Oklahoma City was eliminated in the Western Conference Finals with three point guards on the court together down the stretch of Game 6. The team that ousted them and Miamis opponent in the Finals, the Spurs possess the versatility to match up with almost any style of play, thanks in large part to their versatile wings - Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Boris Diaw. Ultimately, what position you play is less important than the underlying question - can you play? At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Ejim is confident that theres a place for him and his well-rounded game on an NBA team. "I think it depends on how you look at the word tweener," he said following Wednesday mornings pre-draft workout in the Raptors practice facility at the Air Canada Centre. "If you see it as a valuable thing, then I think that I bring a lot of stuff. I think that Im a small forward and I bring versatility to be able to defend bigger guys, I have a strong body that can do a lot of things defensively. Then offensively [Im] versatile, can shoot the ball and play inside and out. And if you dont consider those good things, then I guess tweeners a bad thing." Ejim, the Big 12 Conference player of the year, has fully embraced his basketball identity. "Its better than being called a glue guy," he said of the tweener label. "Ive yet to see anyone say, yo, youre a tweener, we dont really do tweeners over here," Ejim joked. "And honestly, its not even about being a tweener, its about being a player. If youre somebody that can go out and play basketball on different levels and play at different positions, then youre valuable, youre a good player." Following Tuesdays auditions, a pair of combo guards, Jordan Clarkson and Nick Johnson - also expected to go in the second round - echoed a similar sentiment. Versatility will also be a valuable commodity when the Raptors make their first-round selection at pick no. 20. UCLAs Kyle Anderson is a point guard in a 6-foot-9 body, athletic Clemson product K.J. McDaniels can defend multiple positions, while NC States T.J. Warren projects as a versatile and unconventional scorer. All three wing players are expected to workout in Toronto later this week. "Its almost a positive in todays game," said Dan Tolzman, director of scouting for the Raptors. "You want the flexibility that if a team goes big against you, you have the ability to just shift guys over a spot and keep your best players out there. I think the same goes the other way. If guys go small, youd like to have perimeter players that can bang down low and can rebound hard when youre in a small ball game. I think its just the progression of the game." Working out alongside fellow Canadian Khem Birch, a Montreal-native out of UNLV, Ejim impressed the Raptors, not only with his versatility and commitment to defence but with his approach, maturity and professionalism. "He came in [wearing] slacks and a nice button-down shirt," Tolzman said of Ejim. "He looked like he was coming to an interview and I think that clearly it resonates with us because this is a professional job interview for these guys." With a couple second-round picks at 37 and 59, the Raptors could consider selecting the hometown product, who would be a welcomed addition within Dwane Caseys system. Although his skill set continues to fly under the radar in a talented, wing-heavy draft class, its not hard to envision him catching on with a team and working his way into a rotation, not unlike Tucker in Phoenix. "His niche in my opinion will be as a defensive player," Tolzman said. "Hes a strong defender and I think the level of intensity he plays with bodes well for guys that focus on defence because when they give their all, they impact the game somehow, even if their shots not there." Vapormax Bianche Uomo . TSN platforms will broadcast 75+ live games per season – tripling the networks current slate of MLB games. With the new deal TSN retains rights to ESPNs SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and, for the first time, acquires rights to ESPNs MONDAY NIGHT BASEBALL and WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL. Nike Vapormax In Offerta . John Albert Elway, 24, was booked into jail early Saturday morning after an incident near a college campus in downtown Denver, according to jail records. http://www.vapormaxscontateoutlet.it/vapormax-uomo-scontate-outlet.html . So true. It is one thing to create a winning football team, and another to keep it winning. Each and every week it changes. The NFL creates a unique interest of not who is "the best", but much more who is "the best this week".BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are down to one quarterback -- one healthy, though very shaken quarterback who has become a target for Cleveland fans. With Jason Campbell being treated for a concussion, Brandon Weeden, twice benched this season and a lightning rod for fan anger, will likely start this week against Jacksonville. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said Campbell is following the NFLs protocol on head injuries after he was hurt in Sundays 27-11 loss to Pittsburgh. Campbell was knocked to the ground by blitzing Steelers cornerback William Gay, who came unblocked off the edge and delivered a blow to the quarterbacks facemask with his left hand. As he fell, Campbell also banged his head onto the frozen ground. The play was not caught by referee Terry McAulay or anyone in his crew for a penalty. Chudzinski, who plans to submit the play to the league office for review, said he was told by officials during the game that they thought Campbell was struck in the shoulder. "It doesnt seem like they miss that call very much," outside linebacker Paul Kruger said Monday. Campbell has not been ruled out of this weeks game, but Chudzinski said "chances are" Weeden, who began the season as Clevelands starter, will get the nod against the Jaguars. Weeden is the only quarterback on Clevelands roster, but Chudzinski said the Browns (4-7) will likely add a backup in the next few days. Teams typically work out players on Tuesday before signing them. The team will reportedly bring in free agent Caleb Hanie for a tryout. A former backup with Chicago and Denver, the 28-year-old was released by Baltimore before the season. Campbell came to the Browns training facility Monday before he was sent home. Hell undergo further evaluation this week and will have to pass a concussion test before he is cleared to play. Chudzinski said he spoke briefly with Campbell, who was assisted to the sideline and driven to Clevelands locker room after Gays hit. "I think he was OK, felt OK," Chudzinski said. Campbells injury places Weeden back in the crosshairs of some Cleveland fans, who vented their frustration at him during Sundays game. Weeden was booed when he came in for one play in the first half after Campbell aggravated a rib injury and again when Clevelands starter was knocked out of the gaame. Nike Vapormax Italia. The negative reaction by fans made an already unpleasant atmosphere in FirstEnergy Stadium worse. "Its difficult," Chudzinski said. "I understand the fans, the perspective and where theyre coming from on things. At the end of the day hes a Cleveland Brown and we need him to win and to help us win. I know that thats how the team feels about him." Browns linebacker DQwell Jackson said he has "always been behind Brandon from Day One" and sympathizes with him being singled out as a reason the Browns have dropped from the playoff race. "You could hear the boos around the stadium, but you have to block that out," Jackson said. "That comes with the territory. He plays a tough position. He takes all the credit when you win, and unfortunately he takes all the credit (blame) when you lose. "Im more than confident he can get it done. If hes up or if Jasons up, it doesnt matter to me who is back there. I know both guys are more than capable enough to help us win." Jacksons positive comments were not surprising. After all, hes a team captain, leader and perhaps the most respected player in Clevelands locker room. However, following Sundays game, both cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward made remarks that seemed to indicate a possible divide among the Browns. Haden said there was a sense of deflation when Campbell went to the sideline the first time, and Ward bemoaned the teams four turnovers and offensive struggles. "Im tired of losing, thats it," Ward said. Chudzinski was aware of Wards comments and understands that some of his players are disappointed and angry. But with five games left, he cant allow any dissension. "Guys who arent frustrated or like losing, we dont want here anyhow," he said. "I talked to the team about the importance of us sticking together and this is the time when those frustrations come out, when you dont have as much success in a game that you want to have. We have a lot of football left to play this season." Jackson said Ward, in the final year of his contract, probably wishes he had chosen his words more wisely. "Im sure he regrets it," Jackson said. "He was speaking out of frustration. T.J. is a team guy. He wants everyone to do well." ' ' '