elf — and catching medicine balls tossed his way by Jame

Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss the Americas Cup, a Canadian Tennis leader, Glen Grunwalds unceremonious exit and Tigers big year-end bonus. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is up to Team Oracle, which retained the Americas Cup by winning eight consecutive must-win races in San Francisco Bay. After falling behind 8-1, they repeatedly out-sailed New Zealand, and the glory is theirs. All it took was 11 victories in a best-of-17, since Oracle had been penalized two races for being caught in the biggest cheating scandal in the events 162-year history; one dead sailor, who perished back in May when one of the insane 130-foot-high catamarans that Oracle CEO Larry Ellision decreed be used for this version of the race tipped over; and boats so mind-bogglingly expensive that only four teams could afford to enter. But Americas win-at-all-cost billionaires beat New Zealands, and thats the bottom line. Congratulations, everyone. Well, not everyone. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to James Dolan and the New York Knicks for the unceremonious and unnecessary firing of general manager Glen Grunwald. The removal of Grunwald comes after a season in which the Knicks won more games - 54 - than they have in the past 16 years. And then they went two rounds in the playoffs, something they hadnt done in 12 years. Grunwald operated the franchise with an un-New York-like calm, hiring Mike Woodson to coach, finding a certain peace between Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire, trading away Jeremy Lin. Rather than fire him, Dolan should done the opposite and given Grunwald a contract extension. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to Michael Downey, the Tennis Canada CEO who is leaving to run the Lawn Tennis Association in Great Britain. Think of him as Mark Carney - the Canadian who heads the Bank of England - only with a chair umpire. This is a significant loss for Canadian tennis, which benefitted from Downeys organizational skills. Of course Id be a little more worried for the immediate future of the sport in this country if Milos Raonic bolted with Downey - like Greg Rusedski did 18 years ago. There are dozens of talented sports administrators. There are far fewer people who can thump a 135 mile-per-hour serve. This morning, Raonic won the Thailand Open, beating top seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is up to the PGA Tour for making Tiger Woods its Player of the Year when nobody - maybe not even Tiger Woods - would have objected strenuously if the choice had been Adam Scott. Because so much emphasis is placed on major titles, and Tigers the biggest reason for that, it might seem strange that Scott wasnt chosen for his masters win and two other top-five finishes at majors, and that tiger was chosen in a year that saw him shut out at majors - again, for the fifth straight time. But Tiger won five other tournaments, he won the most money and he is – officially - the Number One player in the world. He had the best year… he just didnt have it in the best places. NFL Jerseys Supply . -- Martin Kaymer never lost sight of opportunity even amid so much evidence of trouble in the closing stretch Sunday at The Players Championship. China NFL Jerseys . Numbers Game looks at the As getting Jon Lester from Boston, sending Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox along with a deal involving the As and the Minnesota Twins. The Athletics Get: LHP Jon Lester, LF Jonny Gomes, OF Sam Fuld and cash. http://www.wholesalenfljerseyssupplycheap.com/ . Rasmussen didnt have a decision during his four appearances in May, when he gave up two hits and no runs in two innings. Toronto used five relievers while pulling off the second-biggest comeback in franchise history on Friday night, rallying from an 8-0 deficit to a 14-9 win. China Jerseys . Colton Sissons also scored for Milwaukee (19-12-8), which went ahead with a two-goal third period. Wade MacLeod and Greg McKegg replied for Toronto (23-12-4). Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . - Aaron Rodgers makes tough throws that can leave fans of the Green Bay Packers speechless.MIAMI - Dwyane Wade is giving fans an inside look at his journey to a third championship. Wade is posting a short film on his website next week, with a sneak preview scheduled to come out Wednesday. The video features the Heat guard explaining some of what he went through while battling injuries last season, along with some never-before-seen footage of his workouts and a sparring session that he and LeBron James endured before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. "I think its going to give people a different perspective on what it all meant to me," Wade said. The video is titled "D. Wades Journey to 3," a play on both his jersey number and his number of titles won so far with the Heat. A copy of the video was reviewed by The Associated Press this week. "The only outcome I see is winning," Wade said on the night before Game 7 of the title series against San Antonio, those words coming early in the video. "I dont see no other thing but winning." A night later, the Heat won Game 7, with Wade finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds while playing with three bone bruises in his right knee. Scenes from the teams postgame celebration and the ensuing parade are part of the film. One of the more compelling scenes in the video was filmed the evening before Game 1 of the finals, when Wade and Heat teammate LeBron James got a late-nigght workout in that even included them lacing up boxing gloves and doing some sparring.dddddddddddd. It shows Wade pushing a heavily weighted sled — screaming "I need three" to motivate himself — and catching medicine balls tossed his way by James as part of a core workout. At the end of that session, Wade and James are both on the floor, covered in sweat and gasping for breaths. "Road to a championship, man," James said. "It aint easy," Wade replied. Theres also some scenes that show Wade relaxed at home, with his two sons and his nephew. His younger son Zion looks at the camera at one point and quips, "Whos Charles Barkley, anyway?" — a bit of a zing directed toward one of Wades more outspoken critics. Wade also addresses how he handles things when people say his game is in decline. "A lot of people are all, He aint got it no more. He aint this. He aint that," Wade said. "Anybody who wants to pick up a basketball and meet me at the gym can do that." Wade battled a number of injuries last season, and still averaged 19.6 points in the title series against the Spurs. The Heat guard said hes eager to have his fans get a different view of his life. "I dont know whats next," Wade said in the video. "But whats next, its going to be special." ' ' '