Centre Steven Adams has signed a multi-year contract extension with Oklahoma City Thunder, firmly locking him in as New Zealands highest paid athlete.The extension, thought to be worth $US100 million ($A131 million) over four seasons, was announced in tandem with another for guard Victor Oladipo.We are excited to extend our partnership with Steven and Victor, executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said.Both players represent the Thunders present and future, exhibiting the values that the Oklahoma community and our organisation hold in high regard: hard work, team first, resiliency and citizenship.The statement on the OKC website did not mention terms of the deals, as per team policy.However, US media have previously reported that the 23-year-old Adams was closing in on a $US100 million agreement, comfortably placing him as the highest paid sportsman in New Zealand.At $A33 million annually that puts him well above the likes of sailor Russell Coutts ($A12 million) and West Ham soccer player Winston Reid ($A11 million).In three and a bit seasons with the Thunder, Adams has made 234 appearances, averaging 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.00 block in 21.7 minutes.During the Thunders run to the 2016 Conference Finals, he recorded six double-doubles and averaged 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in 22 post-season games.As a sign of his increasing influence, through three games so far this season, he is averaging 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in 34.9 minutes of action. Keith Hernandez Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Dwight Gooden Jersey . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. http://www.metssale.com/mets-michael-conforto-jersey/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. New York Mets Jerseys ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. Jacob deGrom Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. TORONTO -- When the United States filled out its roster for the World Cup of Hockey, it looked heavy on grit and physicality and light on skill and scoring.That became reality in the Americans stunning 3-0 loss to unheralded Team Europe on Saturday in the World Cup opener. With offensive defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and 30-goal scorer Kyle Palmieri scratched, the U.S. struggled to generate quality scoring chances and finds itself in trouble one game into the tournament.It was just tough to score, winger Zach Parise said. There are guys that have different roles and different jobs on the team. Guys that play with grit, play hard -- but it was just tough to score for us tonight.Jaroslav Halak stopped all 35 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Team Europe, a mix of players from Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Norway, Denmark, France and Slovenia. Marian Gaborik, Leon Draisaitl and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored on U.S. goaltender Jonathan Quick, who made 14 saves.Despite the lopsided shot total and the Americans dominant puck possession, Europe was in control for most of the game because of major mistakes. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh made an ill-advised pinch to set up a 2-on-1 rush that led to Gaboriks goal, and Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane turned the puck over to give Europe a 2-on-0 rush that led to Draisaitls goal.You saw on a couple of our mistakes -- turnovers, pinching, giving them odd-man breaks -- they were able to capitalize, Kane said. On that second goal, Ill definitely take the fault on that one. Thats a play that Ive made a million times in my career. Just kind of lost the puck, and the next thing you know they go down 2 on 0. Thats unacceptable from me.It was an unacceptable performance for the U.S., which now has been shut out in three consecutive major international tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Leaving skilled players such as?Tyler Johnson and Kyle Okposo off the roster sparked plenty of second-guessing of the U.S. management team, and that criticism wont slow down after losing to Team Europe.Defenseman Ryan Suter called Sochi a setback, and the first game of the World Cup wasnt a step forward.If you go back nine (international) perioods where you dont get anything, its frustrating but weve had some looks along the way, captain Joe Pavelski said.dddddddddddd We had the power plays, we had some chances, we had a few looks. Weve got to strike when we get those.The U.S. had a power-play goal disallowed when James van Riemsdyk was ruled to have intentionally directed the puck in with his chest. Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepans helmet, but the NHL explained it had no bearing and the goal should not count.Tortorella defended his decision to sit Byfuglien and Palmieri, saying this was what the coaching staff believed was the best lineup. The result didnt prove that, and the top offensive players accepted responsibility for not being sharp enough.Europe coach Ralph Krueger knew his team had to play a perfect game to beat the U.S. Captain Anze Kopitar called this a boring game, but it got the job done; Europe made good on Kruegers pledge that the team was ready to look America in the eyes.That belief extended to the locker room, even if beating the U.S. looked shocking from the outside.From the outside, we got stamped up as the underdog here, Draisaitl said. I think we all understand that, but at the same time, we have some really good players on our team as well. A lot of experience. A big win for us.For Europe, it was a long way from blowout losses to the 23-and-under Team North America in exhibition play. Krueger emphasized that the Europeans werent satisfied to play one strong game.We didnt see ourselves as just a sideshow, ever, Krueger said. Weve come here to play nine periods and like everybody else we want to play next weekend.To advance to play next weekend in the semifinals, the U.S. must either beat favored Canada on Tuesday or hope for a miracle elsewhere in Group A. With only three games of round-robin play, a regulation loss is a significant blow.Weve put ourselves in a spot now were chasing, Tortorella said. Were chasing the tournament. Its a spot we didnt want to be in. Its a very dangerous spot, but we are here. ' ' '
