howed me enormous support.Bulldogs coac

CHICAGO -- Jimmy Butler spun a basketball on his finger. He joked around with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving during a brief 1-on-1 exchange. He smiled as some of the NBAs biggest stars lobbed some playful barbs in his direction.Back in Chicago on the eve of the Olympics, Butler is fitting in quite nicely with the U.S. national team.There are a lot of great players on this roster, but more than just basketball players, I get to learn a lot more about them off the court, Butler said, who they are as people and their families, and how they act, their personalities. I think thats been my favorite part of this whole journey, just getting to know the guys that I go up against every year.Its good practice for the fall, when Butler returns to a new-look Bulls team that suddenly includes a pair of longtime opponents for the versatile swingman.Derrick Rose is gone, traded to the New York Knicks. All-Star center Pau Gasol landed in San Antonio. But Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo decided to join Butler in Chicago, providing championship experience, but also two more players on the wrong side of 30 who like to have the ball in their hands.Im excited. I know they are as well, Butler said before Thursdays Team USA practice at the United Center. Its a new start for a lot of us.Butlers reputation also took a hit in the wake of Chicagos 42-40 finish in April, ending the franchises string of seven consecutive playoff appearances. The two-time All-Star was openly critical of new coach Fred Hoiberg and did not click with Rose last season.Asked about speculation he had a hand in Chicagos offseason activity, Butler brushed the notion away like he would an overzealous defender.That has nothing to do with me. I dont move guys, he said. Its like I always say, people are going to think what they want to think.That doesnt bother me, he continued. I know where I stand. I know who I am.Butlers inclusion on the national team establishes the 6-foot-7 Marquette product as one of the best players in the world, part of a steady rise for the No. 30 selection in the 2011 draft. On the 12-player roster for Team USA, only Draymond Green and DeAndre Jordan are lower draft picks.Butler, 26, averaged 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season. He has increased his averages for scoring and assists in each of the last four years.I knew he was a workhorse, but that man really never stops working, Golden State guard Klay Thompson said, and I give Jimmy a lot of credit because he came into this league and obviously he didnt have the hype he (would) if he was like a top-five pick, but hes worked himself into an All-Star and one of the best wings in the game.Before this Olympic run, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski had only seen Butler on TV.The very first thing is just how strong and what a great athlete he is, Krzyzewski said. Then what a good guy he is, and then what an outstanding competitor. You felt he was going to check every box, but you put two checks in each of these boxes. Hes terrific, and hes a really good guy.Krzyzewski said Butler and Paul George are the most versatile players on the team, capable of guarding any position. Butler had four points and three rebounds while playing 14 1/2 minutes in the United States 107-57 exhibition victory over China on Tuesday night.Next up is a matchup with Venezuela on Friday night at Butlers home with the Bulls, and then a trip to Houston for one more game against Nigeria before departing for Brazil. When it comes to the Olympics, Butler said he just wants to win.Its a very familiar response for U.S. assistant Tom Thibodeau, who coached Butler with the Bulls before he was fired in May 2015.To see how much hes grown from his first year in the league to what hes become, its a testament to how hard hes worked, his intelligence, his drive, Thibodeau said. Each year hes gotten better, and I think his makeup will allow him to continue to improve each year.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Air Force 1 Haute Homme .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Air Force 1 Low Pas Cher . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://www.siteairforce1pascher.fr/air-force-1-low-soldes/basket-basse-homme.html . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Air Force 1 Low Noir . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Air Force One Pas Cher . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Adam Cooney has announced his retirement, joining unwanted yet esteemed company in winning the AFLs highest individual honour but not a premiership.The Essendon midfielder said on Tuesday the 2016 season would be his last, fittingly confirming his future before a milestone match against former club Western Bulldogs.Cooney was taken with pick No.1 in the 2003 draft and won the 2008 Brownlow medal.But a degenerative knee injury meant he never hit those highs again, even after seeking a fresh start with the Bombers in 2014.Preliminary final losses in 2008 and 2009 are the closest Cooney came to pocketing a premiership medallion.Pretty unsatisfied. Its bittersweet I suppose, Cooney said on the eve of his 250th match.Early on when I won the Brownlow I was only 22 and I injured my knee, I probably wasnt able to play the sort of footy that I wanted to after that.You play footy to win a premiership. Its a little bit disappointing to not be able to play in a premiership.Cooney featured in 219 games for the Bulldogs and at his best was one of the leagues most influential players, burning sides with his speed and skill.The 30-year-old remains close with many former teammates at Whitten Oval.It seems a fitting tribute to be able to play against the Dogs this week to celebrate not only my 250-game milestone but also celebrate the carreer I have enjoyed at both clubs, he said.ddddddddddddIm looking forward to the opportunity to also say thank you to the fans from both clubs who have showed me enormous support.Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was full of respect for Cooney, saying the on-baller had enjoyed a great career.Well acknowledge that after the game and send him out on a good note, Beveridge said.Cooney contemplated returning for the 2017 season but recent performances convinced him otherwise.Halfway through this year I was actually playing some OK footy and was weighing up whether to go on, he said.But towards the end of the season I probably started to slow down. It would probably have been a little bit selfish of me to decide that I wanted to play on.Bombers coach John Worsfold lauded Cooneys leadership during the clubs difficult 2016 campaign, when 12 senior players have been suspended.Adams experience, leadership and team care has been really vital, Worsfold said.ADAM COONEYS AFL CAREER* Draft history: Pick No.1, 2003 National Draft* AFL Debut: Round 1, 2004 against West Coast at Etihad Stadium* Bombers Debut: Round 1, 2015 against Sydney at ANZ Stadium* AFL Games: 249* Brownlow Medal: 2008* All Australian: 2008. ' ' '