Larry Bird has been trying to mold the Indiana Pacers into a faster, sleeker unit under new coach Nate McMillan.He also knows the value of having a reliable offensive threat in the post to get buckets when the game inevitably slows down, and thats where Al Jefferson comes in.The Pacers agreed to terms with Jefferson on a three-year deal worth $30 million, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until July 7.In a league that has steadily gotten smaller and more versatile, the 31-year-old Jefferson is a throwback to the crafty, dominant post players of Birds era. And Big Al has Celtics green all over his game.Jefferson started his career with Birds old team before being traded to Minnesota, where he was tutored by Birds former teammate and Celtics Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, one of the best post players to ever play. Jefferson has exhibited some of the same trickery and creativity on the block that McHale made famous for those title-winning Celtics teams, and his unique skill set has helped keep him in demand as he has weathered some significant injuries.The 31-year-old missed significant time for the Charlotte Hornets last season with a knee injury and also had to sit out five games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.He averaged 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 47 games for the Hornets, who also lost Jeremy Lin in free agency on Friday.Jefferson joined the Hornets three years ago and was named third-team All-NBA in his first season under coach Steve Clifford.He was plagued by foot injures the next two seasons.After the Hornets lost in Game 7 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Jefferson said he wanted to return to Charlotte to finish his career.There is nowhere I would rather be, Jefferson said on May 2. The things that we have done with this franchise the last three years have been amazing and I want to continue to see it through. But there is a business side to it, but I would like to end my career here.Clearly things changed when the market opened on Friday. But in a dizzying 12 hours that have seen some eye-popping contracts handed out, paying $10 million per year to a proven low-post scorer whose game should age well was by no means a stretch.The Pacers have already added point guard Jeff Teague and forward Thaddeus Young via trades to bring some of that quickness and versatility that the modern game demands.Now Jefferson will bring some of the muscle and toughness that could prove valuable come playoff time.---AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte contributed to this report. Cheap Jordans From China . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Wholesale Cheap Jordans From China . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.cheapjordanfromchina.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Cheap Jordan China Wholesale . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Cheap Jordans For Sale Wholesale .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. WUHAN, China -- Petra Kvitova overpowered Dominika Cibulkova 6-1, 6-1 Saturday to win the Wuhan Open for her first title of the year.The 14th-seeded Kvitova, who won the inaugural tournament in 2014, hit nine aces and converted six of seven break points to post her fifth win over a Top 20 player this week.Wuhan, its really one of my favorite cities, said Kvitova, who defeated top-ranked Angelique Kerber in the third round. It was a great crowd as well, there were some incredible matches for me and Im really happy that I can stand here as a champion again.Kvitova won 17 of the first 18 points. Cibulkova managed a break in the fifth game of the first set but it didnt change the momentum and the second set was just as one-sided.ddddddddddddWith the win, the Czech will move up to No. 11 in the rankings after coming into the tournament at No. 16, which was her lowest ranking since May 2011.Kvitova, who has won at least one tournament every year since 2011, improved to 5-2 against her 10th-ranked Slovak opponent. It was the first meeting between the two players in more than two years.Fifth-seeded Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova defeated third-seeded Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-4 to win the doubles title. ' ' '
