here will be a large market for his services, so the Jazz need to prove theyre an organization that can compete for championship

HOMESTEAD, Fla. Christian Walker Jersey . -- Jimmie Johnson didnt shy away from talk of a record-tying seventh Sprint Cup championship.So he has no reason to shy away from talk of an eighth.Within hours of hoisting his seventh Sprint Cup, Johnson couldnt avoid questions Sunday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway about earning an eighth, a championship that would put him in elite company -- with himself. He currently sits tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. for the record with seven titles.I dont know what the chances are, but lets go, Johnson said a couple of hours after his victory celebrations. Im so excited to put that in front of myself and the team as a hurdle to get over and an accomplishment to achieve.Johnson swears that all he ever wanted to do was race. He obviously has done more than that with 80 victories and the seven titles -- with the seven coming in a shorter span (11 years) than Earnhardts first seven (15 years) and Pettys (16 years).The 41-year-old Johnson won five consecutive titles from 2006 to 10 and then again in 2013, with all of them coming in the 10-race mini-season format. This was his first in the elimination-style format implemented in 2014.I had a lot of fun racing for the sixth, Johnson said. This one and the calm nature and the way we went about business and got it done only gives me more confidence for the future.I honestly feel like Im playing with house money. I never aspired to be famous. I never aspired to be a champion. I just wanted to race.Even his car owner, Rick Hendrick, didnt shy away from the conversation. Hendrick has won 12 of the past 25 championships -- seven with Johnson, four with Jeff Gordon and one with Terry Labonte.I think the five in a row was pretty phenomenal, and I think winning seven and tying seven is pretty special, Hendrick said. Im excited to see him and [crew chief] Chad [Knaus] try to break the record now because were tied, and you cant go to eight until you get seven.A seventh title didnt appear likely for much of the 2016 season, which included Johnsons longest winless streak -- 24 races -- of his career. His calm demeanor throughout it all likely helped, especially in the season finale Sunday, when he ran last among the four finalists for much of the race.He thinks he can bring the same attitude toward trying to win an eighth title.Ive found a way to put it in that simple mindset here the last couple attempts, in 13 and now in 16, Johnson said. I think it makes us really dangerous, and I look forward to the challenge of trying to get No. 8. Wholesale Diamondbacks Jerseys .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Reggie Sanders Jersey . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/...amondbacks.html .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. SALT LAKE CITY -- Joe Johnson had options of where to chase a ring in the twilight of his career and the seven-time All-Star chose to sign a two-year deal with a Utah Jazz team that hasnt reached the playoffs since 2012.Johnson, 35, bought into the widespread belief that the Jazz will improve from young up-and-comers to a competitive playoff team.It was the talent level and knowing from talking to (coach) Quin (Snyder), they wanted some veteran guys around these young guys and help lead the way, Johnson said. That was probably the biggest part.Thats the story on the Jazz entering the 2016-17 season: a team no longer on the cusp, but one with postseason expectations.Snyder and general manager Dennis Lindsey have tried to temper those expectations, but the offseason moves to add veterans spoke volumes. The Jazz traded for George Hill and Boris Diaw and signed Johnson -- ending the slow rebuild. The league, however, wont see what this roster looks like at full strength for some time.Gordon Hayward is out for an unknown amount of time with a broken finger on his non-shooting hand. Derrick Favors played just one preseason game due to a knee issue. Key reserve Alec Burks still hasnt returned from arthroscopic surgery to his knee and ankle in June.So the Jazz didnt get to fully integrate the new veterans with the established players during the preseason.I feel like weve got a lot done in spite of (injuries), Snyder said. (Diaw, Hill and Johnson) have probably played more preseason minutes than I intended. ... It has given them a chance to get acclimated. Their roles, particularly Joes, will probably change and evolve when Gordon comes back. Outside of that, theres challenges. You just dont know. Certain players, certain lineups. ... I dont think we were able to build quite the connectivity that wed like at this point. But I felt like this was a team that was going to take a while to develop, too. Hopefully it doesnt set us back too much.The Jazz begin the season on the road against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Eight of their first 11 games are on the road.Things to watch as tthe Jazz prepare to tip off the season:STIFLING TOWER: The 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert has already established himself as one of the best defensive centers in the game, averaging 2. Caleb Joseph Jersey. 27 blocks over the last two seasons, but hes shown off a little more offense this preseason. He seemed to catch and finish better than in the past and averaged 14.8 points in six games. The most notable improvement has been Goberts free throw shooting. He shot 56.9 percent last year and 74.5 percent this preseason.RETURN OF EXUM: Dante Exum is back for regular season games for the first time since tearing his ACL in the summer of 2015. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft is fully healthy and still an upper echelon defender on the perimeter with his 6-foot-6 frame. He looks to become more active on the offensive end with a better floater in the lane and improved 3-point shooting. The point guard showed the ability to log minutes at shooting guard next to Hill during the preseason.GROWTH AREAS: The Jazz hope the additions and another year of growth will affect three areas in particular. The Jazz were No. 28 in the league with a scoring average of 97.7 points per game. That must improve. Johnson, Hill and Diaw already improve the depth. The team also struggled in close games, finishing 14-28 in games that were within five points with five minutes or less left.IMPRESSION TIME: Not making the playoffs could not only be disappointing, but a detriment to the future. Hayward has a player-option on his contract after this season and is expected to use it to become a free agent. There will be a large market for his services, so the Jazz need to prove theyre an organization that can compete for championships in the near future. Gobert will become a restricted free agent in July if he doesnt sign an extension by Oct. 31. Favors is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2017-18 season.---Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KareemCopeland ' ' '