Klassik-Bereich » with the winger popping up in midfield and making

CHICAGO -- Pau Gasol talked to Joakim Noah when the Chicago Bulls travelled to Los Angeles to recruit the free-agent centre. Chad Kuhl Pirates Jersey . He spoke with Derrick Rose over the phone, and Mike Dunleavy also reached out to the 7-foot veteran. What Gasol found was a hungry team in search of a championship, and it was enough to convince the skilled Spaniard to trade the warmth of Southern California for the cold winters of the Windy City. Gasol and newcomer Nikola Mirotic were at the United Center on Friday for a pair of press conferences announcing their new contracts. The 34-year-old Gasol begins his 14th NBA season with career averages of 18.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists, and the 6-10 Mirotic joins the Bulls after a successful final season with Real Madrid. "It was a gut feeling. I thought Chicago was going to be the best fit for me," Gasol said. "Its a great challenge, but Im driven by challenge. I look forward to it." Gasol began his career with Memphis and was traded to Los Angeles in February 2008. He formed a strong bond with Kobe Bryant while helping the Lakers to three consecutive NBA Finals from 2008-10, winning the title the last two of those years. Weighing interest from NBA champion San Antonio and Oklahoma City among other teams, Gasol said his conversations with Noah and Rose helped sway him to Chicago. Noah was the leagues defensive player of the year last season, and Rose is coming back from a pair of knee injuries which kept the 2011 MVP out for much of the last two seasons. "How humble they were, I think thats real important to be able to not have big egos, that makes things a lot easier," Gasol said. "Their passion, their hunger as well. Theyre hungry. Theyre hungry to win, thats something that I wanted to also come into, to be a part of a hungry team." Rose played only 10 games last season before he was shelved for the year by a torn meniscus in his right knee. Chicago still managed to win 48 games and make the playoffs, where it lost to Washington in the first round. Rose is expected to return this season, and the addition of Gasol and Mirotic should give Chicago one of the deepest frontcourts in the league. Noah set career highs with 12.6 points, 11.3 and 5.4 assists per game last year, and Taj Gibson blossomed into one of the leagues top reserves. The Bulls used the amnesty clause to cut Carlos Boozer on Tuesday, leaving an opening in the starting lineup. But coach Tom Thibodeau isnt sure what the lineup is going to look like just yet. "I dont know how its going to unfold," he said, "you know, who will be the starter, whos finishing? Maybe we change as we go. Were going to see once we get everyone out there together. Were always going to do whats best for the team." Gasol, a Barcelona native, also should be able to help with Mirotics transition to the NBA. The 23-year-old Mirotic, who was acquired in a 2011 draft-night deal with Minnesota, averaged 12.4 points while shooting 46 per cent from 3-point range last season with Real Madrid. Mirotic, a stretch power forward who has drawn comparisons to sharpshooters Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson, was believed to be one of the top players in the world outside of the NBA. "I strongly believe that I am ready for this challenge," Mirotic said through an interpreter. Gasol, Mirotic and first-round draft pick Doug McDermott address one of Chicagos biggest problems from a year ago. The Bulls had the NBAs top defence last season, allowing 91.8 points per game, but they also averaged a league-low 93.7 points. "I think weve added shooting. Of course, getting Derrick back is a huge piece," Thibodeau said. "So it depends how it all fits together. We wont know until we get out there." Jameson Taillon Pirates Jersey . Then Klay Thompson put his foot on the gas. Thompson scored 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and Harrison Barnes scored 14 points in his season debut to help the Golden State Warriors to a 106-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Francisco Cervelli Jersey . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Jordan-Lyles-pirates-jersey/ . The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the search, confirmed reports by several media outlets. The interview took place in Southern California on Monday.Jone Macilai-Tori scored three tries as the Crusaders thrashed the Reds 35-8 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Lock Scott Barrett, flanker Jordan Taufua and hooker Codie Taylor also scored tries while fly-half Richie Mounga slotted three conversions.Reds only reply came from centre Campbell Magnay who scored a try under the poles early in the second half, only for Jake McIntyre to have his kick charged down from in front. Jake McIntyre had his conversion charged down from in front of the posts It was the Crusaders eighth successive victory and propelled them to the top of the table, equal on 37 points with the Chiefs after nine games. The Chiefs, the only team to beat Todd Blackadders side this season, host the Highlanders in Hamilton on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2 from 8.15am.The Crusaders were out the blocks early with two tries to winger Macilai inside eight minutes as the hosts running lines and passing opened large gaps in the Reds defence. Roberto Clemente Pirates Jersey. Jone Macilai-Tori (c) celebrates a try The Australian side then spent a sustained period in the home sides half, but lacked any real penetration as the Crusaders repelled them comfortably.Macilai-Tori then set up a try after the Crusaders pack provided an attacking rolling maul, with the winger popping up in midfield and making the final pass to Barrett.Mounga converted all three tries to give the home side a 21-0 half-time lead.Macilai-Tori completed his hat-trick shortly after the break before Magnay managed to finally breach the Crusaders defence after fly-half McIntyre produced a delicate kick over the line and the 19-year-old got to the ball first before running 40 metres for the try. Campbell Magnay scored the Reds lone try in the second half The score appeared to stifle the attack of both teams as they cancelled each other out before Crusaders captain Kieran Read was shown a yellow card for a professional foul.The Reds were unable to take advantage of the extra man, with Taufua scoring his sides fifth try on the back of some brilliant hands from Taylor before the hooker rumbled over himself with less than five minutes remaining. Brumbies keep Bulls at bay Nigel Ah Wong and Tomas Cubelli send Brumbies top of Australia Conference ' ' '