DieBruderschaft.com

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A week ago after waking up in Paris to flurry of congratulatory text messages, Serge Ibaka wasnt quite sure how to feel about the NBA draft-night trade that landed him in Orlando.But one text message in particular helped him feel better about his transition from the Oklahoma City Thunder -- a team contending for an NBA championship -- to a young team trying to figure out how to make the postseason.One of things that made me feel good at that moment was Dad texted me, Ibaka said Thursday at a news conference. Before I could get excited and happy, my dad was happy. He congratulated me and said he was real happy for me. Thats what changed everything at the moment.This is a business, and things happen for a reason. So Im happy to be here and for my family and for my daughter.The Magic aggressively went after Ibaka, trading Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to Domantas Sabonis (the No. 11 overall pick) to land the veteran power forward. They were looking for an inside presence and leadership; Ibaka, who went deep into the playoffs four of the past six seasons, gives them both.Orlando hopes the 6-foot-10 Ibaka is the player the Magic were missing last season as they fell short of making the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The three-time NBA All-Defensive first team member is one of the leagues top shot-blockers.Serge Ibaka is such an important piece to taking this organization to where we want to take it, to become a defensive monster, be one of the best defensive teams in the league, said coach Frank Vogel, who was hired by the Magic last month after coaching the Indiana Pacers. We are going to preach defense as much as I always have. But you have to have the people that can get the job done.Ibaka, 26, said he is looking forward to a likely expanded role that will include being more of a leader and offensive presence while certainly adding the defensive muscle the team needs.It feels good, said Ibaka, a native of Congo. I feel like my first year in the league; Im that excited. Im looking forward to the new challenge. I know its not going to be easier. Thats how we become great when we beat the challenges in front of you.Ibaka had a dip in productivity last season with the Thunder, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots. In Orlando, he will be looked to be versatile enough to play both power forward and center when needed. This team will look much different than the Thunder team he is coming from that was headlined by stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.Ibaka said he is up for the challenge as he takes what he learned over the last seven seasons to Orlando.They have great guys and young talent. Its always good to know I am going to work with good people, Ibaka said. Im excited because I know Im going to bring to them. Mets Jerseys China .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Stitched Mets Jerseys . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. New York Mets Gear . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Custom New York Mets Jerseys . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. AUSTIN, Texas -- College football is a winning business and when youre not winning, business is bad. That backdrop makes the timing of the Red River Rivalry between No. 20 Oklahoma and Big 12 archrival Texas a bit tricky for the Longhorns.Texas coach Charlie Strong, whose team has gone from trending upward to sliding down in the past three weeks thanks to road losses to California and Oklahoma State, went from facing questions about his own job to demoting defensive coordinator Vance Bedford -- now in charge of defensive backs -- since leaving Stillwater last weekend.Things could get even worse with the Longhorns in the crosshairs of an improving Oklahoma team on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Sooners are hell-bent on revenge after losing to Texas last season and are back in the saddle after a win on the road against TCU last Saturday.It doesnt take much to rile up these two teams when they meet each year for their neutral-site showdown on the Texas State Fair Grounds.But this season, the stakes seem as high as ever for a pair of 2-2 teams who are lost in the wake of hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff due to their multiple losses.The Longhorns are 5-5 since their win in Dallas last season.Strong said he thought that game couldve been a turning point for the team. It wasnt, as Texas went 5-7 in 2015 and did not go to a bowl game.I go back to that game all the time because that could have been a turn right there, because it takes one game to really turn the program, Strong explained. We are at the point now where we know how to handle it.Strong hopes a victory this season could shake his team out of its doldrums.Last year we jumped out to a good lead and we played good early, just an emotional lead and then the game settled down, Strong said. But weve just got to go out and just play well and not give up the big play on defense and see if we can move the ball on offense and be solid in the kicking game.Two straight losses to good but not great teams and surrendering 99 total points therein prompted Strong to demote defensive coordinator Vance Bedford on Monday and take over the responsibility for calling defensive plays himself.Last Saturdays 49-31 loss to Oklahoma State marked the first time in school history that a Texas team allowed 45 or more points in three of the first four games of a season and something had to be done.I dont think its desperate times for desperate measures, Strong said. Ive (coordinated the defense) before and I can see where I can help us. Play calling is a rhythm. Youve ggot to get on rhythm and you try to keep people off balance.dddddddddddd Sometimes when (the players) hear a different voice...youre trying to give them a shot of energy.Through four games, the Longhorns defense has allowed a total of 153 points and ranks 116th nationally in scoring defense. In losses to California and Oklahoma State the Longhorn defense has surrendered 1,062 yards, including 555 total yards to the Cowboys on Saturday. Texas (2-2, 0-1 in Big 12 play) ranks No. 87 in total defense, 105th in passing yards allowed and dead last with just one turnover gained.Its real hard to have fun when youre giving up 50 points (a game), Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson said.DOnta Foreman and Chris Warren III, Texas two hammerhead running backs, were injured in last weeks loss to Oklahoma State. Foreman (abdominal issue) will be back for OU but Warren (right knee) is out indefinitely.Oklahoma (2-2, 1-0 in Big 12 play) comes into Saturdays game off a 52-46 victory over No. 21 TCU in Fort Worth, the Sooners third game (and first win) against ranked teams this season.Stoops was asked Monday if the role changes at Texas will affect how the Sooners will prepare for Saturday.I dont know how much you can totally change, but its something weve got to be alert to that wed have to adjust to, Stoops said. With all we see through the year, our guys are used to seeing a lot.Oklahoma surged back from a 21-7 deficit via a 35-0 run in a stretch when Stoops said the Sooners played their best football of the season.All of the teams units played with urgency and fire and it was a positive start in the Big 12, Stoops said. Theres plenty we have to improve on and going down to play Texas is always a big game and a big challenge for us.Stoops announced Monday that starting linebacker Tay Evans has been forced to quit football because of continued symptoms from concussions.And quarterback Baker Mayfield missed practice Monday while he tries to recover from a leg injury he suffered in the first half against TCU. Mayfield returned to the game in the second half with a brace on his leg and threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another pair of scores in the victory.Texas and Oklahoma meet for the 111th time on the gridiron Saturday in the Red River Showdown. The Longhorns own a record of 47-38-4 against the Sooners since the game began at the Cotton Bowl in 1929.The two teams have split the past 10 meetings. ' ' '