08-17-2016, 01:01 PM
Dennis Rodmans agent says the former NBA star did not take any payment from the North Korean government during his trip this week to the country. Darren Prince says the North Korean government did not finance any part of the trip, adding that Irish betting company, Paddy Power PLC, covered expenses for Rodman and his team of former NBA players that included Charles D. Smith, Kenny Anderson and Cliff Robinson. NBA Commissioner David Stern told CNN this week that Rodman was influenced by "a flash of North Korean money" to stage an exhibition game in Pyongyang. Rodman apologized Thursday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized the game. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game. Rodman dedicated the game to his "best friend" Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area. The capacity crowd of about 14,000 at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium clapped loudly as Rodman sang a verse from the song. Rodman said he was honoured to be able to play the game in the North Korean capital and called the event "historic." Some members of the U.S. Congress, the NBA and human rights groups, however, say he has become a public relations tool for North Koreas government. Prince also said that an England-based production company, Chief Productions, filmed the North Korea trip for a documentary, and another outfit, Koryo Tours, sold VIP packages to the game and will make a donation to a childrens charity in North Korea this month with a portion of the proceeds. 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.dddddddddddd "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 ' ' ' NFL,NHL,NBA,MLB,soccer,NCAA jerseys Wholesale
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