Hopping, who was looking to five trainer Jimmy T

MIAMI -- Chris Paul faced great uncertainty when he became president of the National Basketball Players Association three years ago. The league was changing commissioners, the union was seeking a new executive director and another round of labor strife seemed unavoidable.That was then.Whatever fears there were in 2013 are gone now, with the league and its union having reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement and the relationship between the oft-contentious sides going along as swimmingly as ever. Yet on Thursday, one day after this new proposed deal was struck, Paul wanted no congratulations or credit -- instead lauding everyone involved for getting it done.I dont know if relief is the right word, Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star point guard, said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. But its a really good feeling.The new CBA, if approved by players and owners, will last seven seasons with an opt-out available after six. Average salaries will continue to soar, players will be asked to endure fewer back-to-back and four-game-in-five-day stretches, and players who will soon be coming into the league will reap benefits that no rookies have before.But to Paul, the biggest win in this proposed deal is what it will mean for former players -- especially with regard to better health care.For me, its crazy to go into arenas now where former players who work for teams -- broadcasters, stuff like that -- and thats probably the most humbling feeling there is, those former players coming up and saying `Thank you, Paul said. Its not about me. Its about all the guys. Thats what I think what history will talk about with this deal. This wasnt a deal just for the current players, for incoming players, but the players who paved the way for us.Helping retired players with their medical expenses was something that other superstars, like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, said they wanted addressed as well.That health insurance stuff is invaluable, man, Paul said. You dont understand that as a 19-year-old coming into the NBA. I do know, as a father of two kids and having gone through life. If anyone asks me the best thing about this deal, its that. Not even close. That.Paul becoming president of the NBPA is a story in itself.He went to Las Vegas for the unions meeting in 2013 not even considering the presidency, and then got approached by Jerry Stackhouse and other players about filling the role. Paul had a long talk with his wife, and agreed.I thought I had way too much on my plate at the time, my own life, family, kids, business things, stuff like that, Paul said.Clippers coach Doc Rivers had the same worry.Just make sure you dont overwork yourself. Do your main job and then do your other job was my only advice, Rivers said. I think hes done a really nice job of it. Hes been very involved but it really hasnt taken away from his job. Thats hard to do but hes done it.The new deal was tentatively struck Wednesday, one day before the sides faced a deadline for opting out of the current CBA.There was never a ripple of trouble during these talks, at least not when compared to the cantankerous ones in 2011 when the league locked players out for 161 days and led to that season being shortened from 82 to 66 games.Paul was part of the negotiations then, and was leery of dealing with the same this time around. But he and other players who were on the executive board -- Paul paid particular credit to Cleveland guard James Jones -- often kept how much work they were doing secret, and kept plugging away at getting what will be the next CBA done without a hitch.Its not about me, Paul said. Im going to tell you, I cant say enough about James Jones. He was the first person I called and said `Congrats. Its a lot of phone calls, a lot of flights, a lot of things like that that people dont know about. James Jones is one of the most selfless people youll ever meet. Without him, this doesnt happen.Paul wasnt sure Thursday when the players will vote, though indicated it could happen long before the new deadline of Jan. 13 to get this deal officially completed.Im happy for our players, and most of all, the fans, Paul said. When youre younger you dont realize how much these decisions affect the fans and why we are able to play this game, and while we all do work extremely hard to be able to do this, the fans are what give us this opportunity. NHL Jerseys Outlet . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Cheap Hockey Jerseys Authentic . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. http://www.wholesalejerseyshockey.com/ .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Discount NHL Jerseys . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. NHL Jerseys Free Shipping . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After three decades of trying, the Wellwood family finally won the Hambletonian.Marion Marauder held off Southwind Frank at the wire Saturday to capture the $1 million Hambletonian and make Paula Wellwood the second female trainer to win trottings biggest race at the Meadowlands.It wasnt only a win for Paula Wellwood. Her mother, Marion, and Paulas son, Devin, own the son of Muscle Hill. Her father, the late Hall of Famer Bill Wellwood, tried nine times to win this race for 3-year-olds, racing in the first Hambletonian at the Meadowlands in 1981.It means the world, Paula Wellwood said of winning. It was my fathers dream and its been my mother and my dream. We have tried. This is our third horse in it. Had some luck. Thought we had some luck with Laddie in finishing third to Donato Hanover (2007). We were excited beyond excited. Then this horse came along. You dare to dream.The dream came true because Meadowlands leading driver Scott Zeron gave Marion Marauder a perfect trip in winning by a nose over of last years 2-year-old champion and the pre-race favorite.Zeron moved Marion Marauder past Bar Hopping, the first elimination winner, at the top of the stretch and appeared to be in command until Yannick Gingras moved Southwind Frank along the inside and just missed for the second straight year.Gingras finished second with Mission Brief in 2014.I cant believe it, said the 27-year-old Zeron, who became the second youngest driver to win the Hambletonian. I tried to get the jump on everyone. My horse was strong coming first up and I wanted to get a good two or three length cushion on the field, but I know my horse better, I should have waited to pull the trigger because sometimes when he gets clear of them, hell wander. He was just not paying attention but he stuck his nose out and he got there.ddddddddddddTom Haughton was 25 when he won with Speed Bowl in 1982.Marion Marauder, who edged Southwind Frank in the second elimination for the final, trotted the mile in 1:51.4 in winning for the sixth time in seven starts this year. The bay colt, who won only once in 13 starts last year, paid $7, $3.40 and $3.The difference was he grew a bit, got bigger and stronger, but the real difference was he learned how to win, Paula Wellwood said.Southwind Frank returned $3.80 and $3, and Sutton finished third and paid $6.60.Bar Hopping, who was looking to five trainer Jimmy Takter his third straight Hambletonian win and record-tying fifth overall, faded to fifth.Takter and Gingras combined to win their third straight Hambletonian Oaks when All The Time ($9.20) closed in the stretch to catch pacesetter Caprice Hill.It was the sixth win in the Oaks for Takter, tying Jan Johnson for most wins by a trainer in the race for 3-year-old trotting filliesAll The Time, who had finished second in her last two starts, took the lead in the stretch and was almost four lengths in front in winning fourth time in seven starts this year. The winning time was a lifetime best of 1:52.1.On the Hambletonian undercard: What The Hill ($18.60) won the $294,450 Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old colts and geldings; Ariana G ($3.20) took the $306,500 Jim Doherty Memorial for 2-year-old fillies; Meadowlands Pace winner Control The Moment ($3.20) won the $320,000 Cane, the opening leg of pacings Triple Crown for 3-year-olds; Shamballa ($19.80) won the $225,550 US Pacing Championship; Lady Shadow ($3.80) won the $235,950 Lady Liberty. ' ' '