In an effort to revive his NBA career, Greg Oden recently underwent the controversial knee procedure that superstars Kobe Bryant and New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez say helped prolong their careers, according to sources.

Oden, whose career with the Portland Trail Blazers was derailed by four knee surgeries, had the noninvasive procedure   done in New York two weeks ago to accelerate the healing process on his left knee, which was operated on in February.

“Greg had long planned to have this procedure done,” one of the sources said. “He thought he’d wait until his knee was completely healed, but the doctor said Greg would get the greatest benefit by doing it now because it would help his recovery.”

Bryant underwent the procedure, known as Orthokine, in Germany last offseason to relieve pain in his right knee and left ankle and returned to have a historically productive year in this, his 16th NBA season. Under Bryant’s advice, Yankees superstar Rodriguez flew to Dusseldorf to have the procedure done in December. Gilbert Arenas also had the procedure done.

The procedure involves doctors taking the patient’s own blood, spinning it in a centrifuge, making a serum and then injecting it into the knee. Doctors claim the blood then works to stop inflammation and reduce pain and cartilage damage.

The 7-foot Oden is not considering retirement, and while it’s possible he could play by the middle of next season, there is no timetable for his return. Oden, the top pick of the 2007 draft, is an unrestricted free agent and about seven NBA teams stay in contact with his representatives to monitor his progress, according to the sources.

Oden has had two microfracture surgeries on his left knee and another on his right, as well as surgery to repair his broken left kneecap. He appeared in just 82 games during his five-year career with the Blazers and has not played since Dec. 5, 2009. He averaged 9.4 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Oden is currently rehabbing at the sports performance division of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. He recently enrolled for summer school at Ohio State, where he played for one season before turning pro.

The San Antonio Spurs extended their win streak to 17 games (dating to the regular season) in historic fashion.
vs

In Game 3, San Antonio trailed by 22 points after the first quarter, 33-11. That deficit after the first 12 minutes of play is the largest overcome to win a playoff game in NBA history. The previous record was held by the 2008 Celtics, who trailed by 21 against the Los Angeles Lakers after the first quarter (35-14) in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Like Saturday, that game was also at the Staples Center.

Four different Spurs scored during the run, led by nine from Tim Duncan. On the other side, five different Clippers missed at least one field goal attempt, including four by Blake Griffin.

The Clippers jumped out to a 24-point lead less than 15 minutes into the game, shooting better than 65 percent from the field (17-26). But over the final 33:17, the Clippers made just 20 field goals and missed nine of 14 free throws.

Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have played 52 minutes together in the series, and the Spurs have outscored the Clippers by 44 points.

Duncan finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, the 134th double-double of his postseason career. Duncan now is three shy of Bill Russell for fourth on the all-time list.

The Spurs now are 7-0 this postseason, the first time in franchise history they have won their first seven games to start a postseason.

The lone bright spot for the Clippers was Griffin, who scored 20 of his game-high 28 points in the first half. He’s only the second different player to score at least 20 points in the first half of a playoff game in franchise history. Elton Brand did it twice during the 2006 postseason against thePhoenix Suns.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Norwegian is currently only 12 months into a four-year contract with Molde

The former Manchester United striker was on Friday in England to meet with Villa, who are conducting interviews with candidates to find a successor to Alex McLeish following the Scot’s sacking earlier this week.

Solskjaer, a UEFA Champions League winner in his playing days, has emerged as somewhat of a surprise target for Villa owner Randy Lerner after only cutting his teeth with United’s reserves before in 2011 taking over at Molde.

But Villa are understood to want to follow the current fashion for young and progressive managers, with the club having unsuccessfully appointed Gerard Houllier and McLeish since the August 2010 departure of Martin O’Neill.

“We are aware that certain individuals have been linked with our managerial vacancy but, out of respect to all potential candidates and any clubs they may currently be employed by, we will not discuss specific individuals by name”
Aston Villa statementQuotes of the week

Personal interest

Whether Lerner decides he wants Solskjaer and can convince the Norwegian to leave Molde after just 12 months of a four-year contract, and with the club looking forward to Champions League football next season, remains to be seen.

However, there has been sufficient personal interest for Solskjaer to hold discussions with Villa, as he told VG Nett via his advisor, Jim Solbakken, after flying back to Norway on Friday evening: “I can confirm that I have spoken to Aston Villa. There were no negotiations but an informal chat.

“I wanted to show one of the big clubs in the Premier League respect to cater to their questions about the initial call.”

Wigan’s Roberto Martinez, who last summer turned down Villa, and Swansea’s Brendan Rodgers have also been linked with succeeding McLeish.

Reinvigorate

And the club on Friday evening confirmed in a statement they were interviewing their managerial candidates.

The club said on their official website: “The Aston Villa board has embarked upon an interview process which will lead to the appointment of a new manager.

“This process will be focused and consistent with the board’s objectives which are to secure a manager who can help to reinvigorate the club and bring some vibrancy back to Villa.

“We are aware that certain individuals have been linked with our managerial vacancy but, out of respect to all potential candidates and any clubs they may currently be employed by, we will not discuss specific individuals by name.

“We will update supporters when we have more news.”

Twickenham will host a massive game on Saturday as Ulster take on Leinster, who are aiming to be crowned European Champions for the third time.

There is no doubt that Leinster are firm favourites – they have the experience, the depth in squad and the belief, however, some members of our esteemed panel believe that Ulster can still win it…

 Tyrone thinks that Ulster have a chance – it’s amazing! Leinster just don’t know how to lose and I think they are just brimming with confidence. They will be up against a good Ulster team but do they have that same belief that Leinster have? I don’t think so.

Ulster have battled all the way to get here, they have done it the hard way. We want to go all the way and in a one off game anything can happen. Ulster will relish being the underdogs but they have the players to break this game wide open and on the day you just never know.

There has been a fair amount of talk about Leinster’s injuries, but Eoin O’Malley is out with his knee which only becomes a factor if Brian O’ Driscoll does not make the fitness test. You have to look at Ulster, though. Chris Henry only started straight line running at the end of last week and Stephen Ferris did not look too healthy either. For Leinster, well, Cian Healey is well over his ankle injury…

Props don’t need strong ankles to perform, do they Paul? I thought you said that Heinke van der Merwe was the better scrummager anyway? Injuries are part and parcel of chasing doubles [Leinster will take on the Ospreys in the RaboDirect Pro 12 Final a week later], they have an outstanding squad. There have been a few times this season when Leinster have gone into the week of a big game saying that they have problems. There does not seem to be anyone who is definitely out and with the quality of the medical team I would imagine that they will have close to a full-strength team out.

I don’t think injuries will be too much of a problem either – all the players on both sides will be chomping at the bit to play in this game. O’Driscoll, well we all know about his resilience, and I fully expect him to be lining up on Saturday. I’m kind of siding with Tyrone here – I think Ulster definitely have the players to upset the champions but Ruan Pienaar is going have to play the game of his life. He is an outstanding No.9. Backrows would not fear him because he does not look to make the break too often, but he controls the game so well. His main role is to get territory and he can slot anything over. He is cool, calm and collected – and he needs to be because he will have to take the pressure off young fly-half Paddy Jackson. So he has plenty of his shoulders.

I agree, Dewi, Pienaar needs to really guide this team. His field kicking has been exceptional and one area that Ulster will look to attack will be the Leinster line out so he has to find touch to make the most of that.

I know what you are saying but Leinster have a target with a great big bulls eye to aim for and it is called Ruan Pienaar. If Leinster can get to him then suddenly this game breaks up completely and it looks very difficult for Ulster to even get close. We are talking about how important he is but because of that importance he becomes a major target. I know that Sean O’Brien will want to run over Paddy Jackson but they will also be looking to get to Pienaar. Leinster will put a lot of pressure at lineouts and at breakdowns to get to Pienaar. The last two games neither Munster nor Edinburgh got anywhere near him. It will make the breakdown fascinating because they will have to throw some bodies in there. I think Shane Jennings will have a massive role just to get to him – lay into him with tackles, smack him around and really rattle him.

But as Tyrone said, the Leinster lineout is the big issue. They were poor there against Clermont Auvergne. There is an argument to go for Devin Toner to sort the lineout out. I doubt with the leadership of Leo Cullen and the physical ability in the scrum area and the breakdown of Brad Thorn that they will go away from that tried and tested combination, though. That is the area where Ulster will look to attack them which means they will be aiming to kick the ball dead a lot rather than keeping the ball alive.

It has to be a tactic to disrupt the lineout and I also think they will go for them in the scrum and breakdown. Ulster need to stem any platform that Leinster can get upfront and at the breakdown – which means a massive confrontation. How Ulster defend is also going to be the key; they have to scythe them down and take them low and then compete for the ball.

Competing at the breakdown is going to be easier said than done for Ulster, though. I agree that they have to do that but the issue there is that Leinster are not very predictable in that area. Half the time you will have Jamie Heaslip out on the touchline and every Ulster player is going to have to commit to getting stuck in and slowing the ball down. The Leinster scrum is up and down a bit and could be a potential weakness. Mike Ross has played a lot of rugby this year and it is hard to keep him strong for every single game. I am sure he will be up for this game, though. Tom Court may not be up to the level of the Clermont Auvergne loose head Lionel Faure but he is a good scrummager and will look to target Leinster in that area. So for me the key for Ulster is to attack them at the scrum and lineout and keep them under pressure at the breakdown so the backs get slow and bad ball. A strong front foot defence is needed as well.

With John Afoa in, Ulster become an even better scrummaging unit and with Rory Best at hooker that front row is pretty decent and can upset the Leinster platform.

I disagree. If Leinster can survive Clermont’s scrum then they will have no problems with Ulster’s at Twickenham. Jonny Sexton will run the show and I think that Leinster will win by 15 points… however, if Ulster upset Leinster then look out for John Afoa’s breakdown work and his defensive work. He is my key man for Ulster.

From a Leinster point of view, I say Rob Kearney is their key man – he was superb in the semi. For Ulster, well, I spoke about Pienaar earlier and I think he will help guide Ulster to a two-point win.

Rory Best for Ulster – his lineout throwing is going to be vital to keep Leinster under pressure. Plus his scrummaging ability and his support in the field is superb. I will go for Ulster by three points..

I will go with Barnsey and say Leinster – I think they will pull away at some stage of the game. The key man will probably be Jamie Heaslip. He was used last weekend in the lineout very well and will be a big option for them. When they play a loose game out wide he is superb at clearing out at the breakdown.

Call it football or soccer, it is the one game that has won the hearts of millions. Today, millions of football fans are following their football stars by their looks, their dress, their behavior or their dedication. This can be seen by the sales of millions of different types of football clothing, shoes, accessories, and kits that are sold throughout the world. Whether it is in its birthplace, Great Britain, or in the most popular United States, football has its impact on the lives of millions. To meet this demand, the Football shirt stores are growing like mushrooms with the original brands, and also their replicas.

Today, most fans do not bother to buy originals from the official teams, and rather go for a replica of the original design of the football teams. Apart from the official uniforms, the replica also displays the names, logos, pictures or captions of the teams. The most famous among these are the faces of famous players or their actions. Right from a kindergarten kid to a professional worker, everybody is bitten by the craze of football.

The season is up again, and the sales are zooming throughout the football shirt stores. People are looking for the latest trends with crazy designs and captions that support the players or teams. Some go even further and tattoo their favorite team’s logo, name or design onto their body. Although football is a successful game that has a growing number of fans, the fashion is very short lived. The football shirt stores need to update their warehouse from time to time to keep up with the models released by the official teams. In this regard, the football shirt stores are more inclined to bring out more generalized designs rather than keeping a huge stock of the jerseys.

These general shirts, T-shirts and accessories are more popular among the teenagers, who like to follow their football star. This allows them to afford the latest designs rather than shell out their savings on the costlier branded jerseys. The specialty stores which stock the official wear for the big teams also provide club membership for the fans and provide a discounted price on all the items purchased. This gives the fans a chance to interact with the other fans and also keep in touch with the latest trends in the town. The internet is playing a major role in these kind of clubs and associations. Fans can access via the Internet and keep a check on the products and prices, and order online for the best price in town.

Some football shirt stores not only provide individual items but also has provisions for group purchases: for a small team, schools, or even bigger clubs. Most of the fan clubs or football associations order their official and casual wear from these football shirt specialty stores which give a better price for smaller teams. Keeping track of the updates and adopting them is possible through these football shirt stores.

Also there is a rivalry between clubs to come up with a superior football shirt design as they will be wearing it all season. It is very important that the design is a good design because there is a lot of money to be made from football retail sales each year and it is a business that the major clubs like to cash in on.

Many decades ago football shirts were not what they are today in terms of fashionable accessories and bright colours. They used to be much plainer in design and the sole purpose they served was to reflect the team’s colours and to show which side a football player was on. A football kit in its purist form is just a way to differentiate between the two teams when playing a game of football.

As football became more popular it meant that the football clubs had to register their teams colours and from this point onwards football shirts became not just a way to tell the difference between teams but they became part of the football club and the players that wore them.

As the years passed by it has become a very good way for football clubs to monetise this product for their football fans and began selling them to fans throughout the year which made them considerable profit.

Next came the sponsors and having the sponsor of the football club printed across the football tops was one of the biggest advertising slots available ever. So if we take the Barcelona shirt and Barcelona kit, we can see that the sponsor for them is Unicef this year and so on every single official football shirt sold worldwide for Barcelona, the brand Unicef will feature on it, which really conveys the power of the football shirt in this modern age.

Another aspect of the football tops was the numbers that are printed on the back and they used to be corresponding to certain positions, however now they are not so strict in which number you have. Also the printing of the footballers name on the back helps both the spectators, commentators and the fans know who is on the ball at any one time.

The fabric of the shirts has changed dramatically and recently the fabric is very well insulated so that it keeps the players warmer in the winter months and cooler in the summer months. As the technology progresses it does make you wonder what will be the next innovations to the football shirt. As it is such big business you can be sure that the new changes will be cutting edge and impressive.

It’s always nice to be able to proudly express your interest in something, whether through a pin, article of clothing or other merchandise. When it comes to sports, merchandise certainly plays a big part in being a fan, with people buying products that showcase their favorite team or player. With a sport like football, players are not always distinguished through their own faces; it’s their t-shirts that do the talking. A team’s most well known trademark is the team logo printed on each jersey, and their numbers and names distinguish them from each other. Football fanatics often buy similarly designed t-shirts to wear outside and show their support. The saying goes that you are not a fan unless you buy football shirts, so if you don’t have one yet, what are you waiting for?

Buying football shirts is a fun experience, because, first of all, they are available almost everywhere. Sports equipment stores are bound to carry shirts of the team you support, and even certain branded shops advertise football shirts as well. They are inexpensive and can be worn outside at any time. Although they were originally heavy and made of cotton, today, football shirts are nylon and polyester based, making them much lighter and more comfortable. The fabric of the shirts allow the wearer to enjoy a light breeze while watching a game, and the colors are nice to look at. Football shirts also express your interest in football or in a team, which can result in that being a good topic of conversation, or a unique way to meet fans you have something in common with.

Football shirts are often designed to resemble a team’s jersey. The shirt is patterned with the team’s trademark colors, and imprinted with their logo as well. If the shirt is based on that of a specific player, the athlete’s name will be printed on the back too, as well as their number. Knowing your team well will you enable you to discern real football shirts from imitations. In order to check if the shirt you want to purchase is real, examine the fabric first. The shirt should feel soft and silky, and the cloth should have a certain shine to it. Secondly, make sure that the colors are accurate. If a shade seems too dark or too light, your shirt could very well be fake. If the logo does not look accurate by having blobs as shapes and having lazy stitching, that is also an indication. Finally, misspellings of the player’s last name, or matching the wrong number with the player, or even matching the player with the wrong team, are an obvious sign.

Be careful of frauds when you buy football shirts, for you might just end up as the laughing stock of the football community. It is wonderful being able to express your love for football, but it is recommended that you prove how well you know your favorite team or player. That way, you can feel at home in the stadium, and you and your fellow fans can cheer as one.

The online football shirt market is definitely on the upswing right now. With the 2010 FIFA World Cup just few short months away, fans can find shirts for all of their favorite countries at several sites online. The shirts range in price and availability, so it’s a good idea to shop around until you find just the right location to purchase from. The beauty of online shopping is that you can have your shirt delivered directly to your door in a matter of days, and have it well broken in before the games begin.

Sales are Thriving
Online football shirt sales have been steadily rising for a few years. Part of the reason they are enjoying such a large number of new sales is that football fans are really just beginning to realize that the online shops exist. It takes a while for internet consumers to feel they can trust a company, but once that reputation is established there is a good chance that your sales will grow tremendously – and continue to remain steady over the long run. The ease of online sales is difficult to resist when all it takes is a computer and a credit card.

Football Popularity on the Rise
Another reason online football shirt sales have been on the upswing is that football itself is enjoying an increase in popularity. Satellite and cable television have brought the sport to a whole new audience, and the fan base is increasing by leaps and bounds. Countries that used to ignore the sport are now embracing it passionately, and the sales of football related merchandise indicate that it is truly a worldwide phenomenon. Football is even gaining more traction in the United States, where it has always enjoyed a more lukewarm response.

T-Shirts and Casual Wear
Several online football shirt sites offer casual t-shirts as well as more formal replica jerseys. Once you get out of the jersey mold, the shirts become even more creative and fashion-forward. There are t-shirts that represent specific teams, and there are shirts that are just generic celebrations of the game of football itself. Many football kit manufacturers, such as Nike, have released t-shirts with football slogans on them and the Nike logo prominently placed. Even if you don’t have a favorite team, you can still wear football gear that proclaims your love of the sport.

Beware Counterfeits
An alarming trend in online football shirt sales has been an influx of counterfeit replicas. These shirts are usually of very poor quality, even though they look almost exactly like the authentic shirts. Shoppers need to beware the fake stuff and look for the real deal. If a shirt is offered at a ridiculously low price, there is a good chance you’re dealing with a counterfeit. When the shirt arrives, you may be very disappointed in the quality and design, and you’ll have wasted your money. It’s better to spend a little more and receive officially licensed products so that your money goes to the team you want to support, and you don’t get stuck with a low-quality garment.