CLEVELAND -- Johnny Manziel is back at work after a holiday weekend in Las Vegas.
[b]Tony Cingrani[/b] . And when youre Johnny Football, what happens in Vegas doesnt necessarily stay in Vegas. The Browns celebrated rookie quarterback reported for organized team activities Tuesday following a few days in Vegas, where he kicked off his summer by hanging poolside with New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, attended a UFC fight and was captured on video spraying champagne on patrons in a nightclub. And, according to Manziel, he found time to study his new playbook. Following his first practices with Clevelands veterans last week, Manziel took advantage of a break in the workouts to head to Las Vegas. On Saturday, a photo of him and Gronkowski, surrounded by other partiers, appeared on several social media sites. Later, Manziel posted a photo on his Twitter account of him standing with UFC President Dana White along with a thank-you note. Although this was all done on his free time, and Manziel didnt commit a crime or have any known issues, his actions raised eyebrows in some circles about his commitment to playing in the NFL. He seemed to fire back at any criticism by posting a photo on his Instagram account Monday night of his Browns playbook and iPad with the caption: "Guess its impossible to enjoy the weekend and study?" Manziel, who was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Browns after sliding in the first round, is expected to challenge Brian Hoyer for the starting job. Last week, first-year Browns coach Mike Pettine said Manziel was having typical problems for a young player. "Its like any other rookie, that hes just inconsistent," Pettine said. "I think a lot of its the mental part of it. Hes more worried about getting the formation right, making sure the motion is correct, and hes got the cadence. Then, hes got to worry about where guys are. Being good mechanically takes a back seat to learning the system first. I think you see over the maturation process, once all that stuff becomes second nature, that hell be a lot more comfortable." Manziel has made a favourable impression with the Browns in his first weeks as a pro. Hes said all the right things during two media availabilities, echoing the teams stance that hes only a backup and will have to earn his starting job. Pettine also said Manziel has shown humility, fitting in nicely with some teammate who may have expected Johnny Football to act differently. "Hes quiet actually," Pettine said. "Hes a good guy to be around. I think the guys in the locker room will be able to tell you that hes a fun guy. But you can tell, when its time to work he works, and hes very serious about this. You can tell hes very competitive." Clevelands practice Wednesday is open to the media.
[b]Adolis Garcia[/b] . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson.
[b]Ken Boyer[/b] . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers. CHICAGO -- The individual accomplishments are all well and good to Kevin Durant. This means more. The Thunder shook off their worst loss, then stood their ground when the Bulls came charging at them. Durant finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds, and Oklahoma City beat Chicago 97-85 on Monday night. Russell Westbrook added 17 points after sitting out the previous day to rest his surgically repaired knee, and the Thunder rebounded from their most lopsided loss of the season. They went on a 13-point run after the Bulls scored eight straight early in the fourth to cut the lead to one and pulled this one out after falling by 23 at home to Dallas on Sunday. Durant ran his streak of games with 25 or more points to 32, the longest in the NBA since Michael Jordan did it in 40 in a row during the 1986-87 season. He also chipped in with five assists. "I just go out there and ... play to win," Durant said. "If all that stuff comes with it, then thats cool." Whats most impressive about the streak is the sheer consistency, the lack of a true off game. That and the fact Durant just shrugs it off stand out most to coach Scott Brooks. "I know when I had a three-game streak of four, I was worried about that fourth game," Brooks said. "I had to make my first shot. Hes not worried about it. Hes worried about playing hard and playing the correct way and finding ways to help his team win. Thats what hes done. Hes an amazing leader and hes so consistent." Westbrook had nine rebounds and nine assists, although he did struggle from the field. He was 5 of 14, and the Thunder shot 41.3 per cent overall. They had the touch from long range, hitting 13 of 25 3-pointers -- three each by Durant, Westbrook and Caron Butler. The Bulls never found their rhythm, shooting 34.5 per cent overall, and settled for a six-game split on a tough homestand that included wins over defending champion Miami and Houston. "I would have liked it better if we won a couple more games, but 3-3 well take it," Joakim Noah said.
[b]Justin Williams[/b]. "Weve just got to move forward. I wish we could have this game back." Noah, whos been hearing "MVP!" chants lately, had a rather quiet night, although he just missed his fourth triple-double of the season. He shot just 2 of 8 but finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Taj Gibson had 16 points and seven rebounds. Jimmy Butler scored 13, and Carlos Boozer chipped in with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but the Bulls came up short. The Thunder were leading by nine early in the fourth when the Bulls scored eight straight points, Butlers fastbreak dunk putting a charge in the crowd and back-to-back baskets by Gibson cutting it to 76-75 with about 10 minutes remaining. After that, things turned in a big way. The Bulls missed their next 11 shots, and the Thunder scored 13 straight over the next 6 1/2 minutes. Derek Fisher started the decisive rally with a 3-pointer. A layup by Serge Ibaka, dunk by Durant, three free throws by Caron Butler, a driving bank shot by Westbrook and a free throw by the guard just over a minute later made it 89-75 with 3:45 remaining. Noah hit a free throw for Chicago 15 seconds later, and after Ibaka nailed a 3, Gibson dunked to end a 7-minute, 4-second drought between baskets for the Bulls. "We took their hit, and thats what the games all about," Durant said. "Theres going to be a time when youve got things clicking. Youre up nine, wed have pushed it up to 12, 15, but we didnt find a way. But everybody stayed poised." Notes: Westbrook insisted Chicagos Derrick Rose can make a strong return from his latest season-ending knee surgery. The two have trained together in the off-season. "I talked to him numerous times," Westbrook said. "Hes a tough guy as you guys know. He does a great job of coming out, competing. Its unfortunate that he had to be hurt and hell be out another year, but hes goi ' ' '
