er-final victory, "starting to get my legs under me and

DETROIT - The Detroit Pistons have decided to invest in Jodie Meeks future, banking on his best basketball being ahead of him. Meeks has agreed to a $19.5 million, three-year deal with Detroit, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday night. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free agents cant sign contracts until the leagues moratorium ends July 10, also said Cartier Martin had agreed to a one-year contract with the rebuilding franchise. The 6-foot-4 Meeks averaged a career-high 15.7 points and scored a team-high 1,209 points last season for the Los Angeles Lakers. The shooting guard has averaged 9.7 points over his five-year career. Milwaukee drafted Meeks in the second round in 2009 and traded him during his rookie season to Philadelphia. The Lakers signed him as a free agent in 2012 and exercised a team option last year to keep him on the roster for a second season. Martin, a 6-7 small forward, has averaged 5.4 points over his six-year career. Earlier on Tuesday, when NBA free agency began, the Pistons announced assistant general manager George David was stepping down. David was a part of the previous front office that was led by president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. The Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy in May to replace Dumars and to also lead them as their coach. Van Gundys first major move appears to be adding Meeks. The Pistons, who havent earned a spot in the playoffs since 2009, are trying to reshape their roster to make the most of 20-year-old centre Andre Drummond. They probably will be relegated to keeping forward Josh Smith, who signed a $54 million, four-year deal last summer, and point guard Brandon Jennings, entering the second year of his $24 million, three-year contract. Detroit does not know if it restricted free agent Greg Monroe will be back. ___ Connect with Larry Lage at www.Twitter.com/larrylage Vernon Butler Jersey . It was well worth the wait. Manning and the Denver Broncos waited eight long months, then another 33 minutes to get the season started because of a lightning storm. Wes Horton Jersey .com) - The Los Angeles Kings peppered Ryan Miller with shot after shot. http://www.officialcarolinapanthersfootball.com/authentic-marquis-haynes-jersey-womens . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. Thomas Davis Jersey . Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone dismissed Tuesdays massive anti-government protest in Manama as "a lot of kids having a go at the police." "I dont think its anything serious at all," Ecclestone was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday. Mario Addison Jersey . He managed to save par, and went on to put together his best opening round of the year. Calcavecchia and Wes Short Jr.MALMO, SWEDEN – Bringing Griffin Reinhart to the World Junior Hockey Championship, even though he would miss the first three games due to a suspension, was a major gamble. And it almost backfired. Without the big Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman in the lineup, Team Canada stumbled in a shootout loss to the Czech Republic and then trailed Slovakia 3-1 late in the second period of its third roundrobin game. A loss to the Slovaks would have meant Canadas hopes of topping Group A would be dashed and a date with the Russians in the quarter-finals would be looming. But Canada found a way, barely, to beat Slovakia. Reinhart then returned against the United States on New Years Eve, solidifying the blue line and helping Canada beat their North American rivals and secure an easier quarter-final opponent. Reinhart then scored the opening goal – the first time Canada struck first in eight games, including three pre-tournament ones – and added an assist in a 4-1 win over the Swiss. He was named player of the game. Meanwhile, the United States was eliminated by Russia. All the sudden, the decision to bring Reinhart is looking mighty good. "The only people questioning it was everybody on the outside," insisted head coach Brent Sutter. "We didnt have any question on the inside. After assessing where we were throughout the country with our back end, it became very clear to myself, after being told what I was told from the scouts side of it, that we had to take that chance of him not playing in the first three games and having him for perhaps the last four and thats how its going to work out." Reinhart, the son of former NHL defenceman Paul Reinhart, is the whole package. Thats why the New York Islanders made him the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft. And he certainly seems motivated to repay the trust Sutter has shown in him. "All year, it was pretty unpredictable whether they were going to take him," said Sam Reinhart, Griffins younger brother and Canadian teammate. "You know everyone in the locker room is happy they did now and hes probably the happiest guy here, too." Griffin Reinharts return had an immediate impact on defence partner Mathew Dumba, who was forced to carry a large load in the first three games, despite suffering from an energy-sapping virus. (If Dumba had been forced to miss a game, that would have left Canada with just five defenceman, yet another possible pitfall of bringing Reinhart despite the suspension.) Dumbas game was a bit off at times early in the competition, but he has meshed well with Reinhart in the last two outings. "Its huge having Griff here," said Dumba, who played 13 games with the Minnesota Wild this season before being loaned to Hockey Canada. "Hes a veteran player. Hes that calming presence definitely on the back end. I love playing with him. He makes it real simple for me out there. I always know where he iss and vice versa.dddddddddddd" Reinharts presence has had ripple effects throughout the entire roster. "Hes meant a lot," said forward Curtis Lazar, "and you saw his offensive side today, but also in the D zone, he uses that big body to get the puck out of pressure and makes that first, crisp pass. Were really glad to have him back in the lineup." "Its been huge," said Sam Reinhart. "That experience he brings, the level of play, he just calms everything right from the forwards back to the goalie, just a calming presence on the ice." As for Griffin Reinhart himself, well, he is pretty happy with what hes brought to the table thus far. "Felt better that game," he said, moments after the quarter-final victory, "starting to get my legs under me and the team played well. Just skating, starting to get my hands back, just more comfortable on the ice. Its different practising, situations are different in games. The States game went well and its only getting better." Reinharts calm demeanour on the ice is replicated off it. "Ive known Griff for a quite a while and hes not the loudest guy in the dressing room, but when het gets on the ice, he loves to control the game," said Lazar, Reinharts teammate in the Western Hockey League. "I sort of have the inside track on Griff and hes not going to show much emotion, but its good to have him and hes really happy with the performance hes put out the past couple of games." Was the desire to make an impact eating him up while he waited for a chance to contribute earlier in the tournament? "Oh yeah," Lazar said, "no doubt." Notes: * Charles Hudon (shoulder) and Mathew Dumba (knee/leg) did not take part in the practice; head coach Brent Sutter described the absences as "maintenance days" and said both players are expected to be the lineup on Saturday. * It was Canadas first practice at Malmo Arena, which is much larger than the Malmo Isstadion where the team played its previous five tournament games; "It is what it is," Sutter said. "The game is played on the same sized ice no matter where youre playing." In conversation with Nabil Karim after the quarter-final win on Thursday, Sutter said moving rinks was akin to playing a "road game." The Finns have been based at Malmo Arena all tournament. * Sutter was asked for his take on facing Finland: "I see a hard-working team. I see a team thats very structured. I see a team thats going to play some North American hockey. Theyre a gritty group. Theyre getting some decent goaltending and they got three forwards on their team that are as good as any forwards in this tournament. Theyre going to come and theyre going to come hard and we have to be ready for it." * Here is a link to Canadian players talking about Fridays practice and facing Finland: http://bit.ly/1gwWvc4 Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '