Allgemeine Plauderecke » sion over Looking Cool with the fav

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Hornets have placed the teams future personnel decisions in the hands of Rich Cho after Rod Higgins has stepped down as the teams president of basketball operations on Friday. Higgins had been with the team for the last seven years. Hornets owner Michael Jordan thanked Higgins in a statement. "Rod has been a consummate professional throughout his time with the team," Jordan said. "Thanks to his hard work and commitment, we have an improved roster and we are poised for success in the future. Rod was of great help to me as I navigated my first four years as majority owner of this franchise. I wish him all the best." Cho will remain in his capacity as general manager and assume responsibility for the teams basketball operations, according to a press release issued by the team. Cho will report to Jordan and vice chairman Curtis Polk. Cho declined comment through team spokesman Mike Cristaldi. The move comes two weeks before the NBA draft and what is expected to be a busy off-season for the Hornets. The Hornets have the ninth, 24th and 45th overall picks and more than $13 million to spend under the salary cap. Jordan has already said the team hopes to make a "big difference" in upgrading the roster this off-season. Higgins declined comment on the matter via text message to The Associated Press. Coach Steve Clifford, entering his second season with the Hornets, said he had a great working relationship with Higgins. "He helped me a lot -- helped our staff a lot. He is a terrific basketball guy and a great person, and were going to miss him," Clifford said. "With that being said, you know change is a big part of this league. We need to quickly focus and move forward and continue to build the right culture, roster, so we can be a good team year in and year out." When Jordan took over as part owner in Charlotte in 2006, Higgins was one of his first hires the following year. Hes long been one of Jordans most trusted friends. Jordan was a rookie in the 1984 when he joined the Chicago Bulls and became teammates with Higgins, a veteran forward at the time. After a 13-year NBA career, Higgins went on to work with Jordan as an assistant general manager with the Washington Wizards. Higgins later left the Wizards to become general manager of the Golden State Warriors before joining Jordan again in Charlotte. Cho was hired by Jordan in 2011 as Charlottes new general manager and Higgins title became president of basketball operations. From that time, the two shared player personnel duties and regularly appeared together and press conference to discuss personnel moves with the media. Clifford said hes confident Cho will do a great job moving forward. "Rich is very organized, on top of things," Clifford said. "I know well be prepared, we will be prepared for the draft, for free agency and you know just like we have in the past. I dont see that part being an adjustment at all. Weve been working together for a year." Under Armour Outlet Australia .ca NHL Power Rankings, finally overtaking the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, who rank second and third this week. Under Armour Wholesale Australia .S. Basketball Writers Association. McDermott, who finished his career at Creighton as college basketballs fifth-leading scorer, accepted the honour from Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson at AT&T Stadium, site of the Final Four. http://www.cheapaustraliaunderarmour.com/ Discount Under Armour Australia . After seven wins in a row, they have to do it one more time to get into the playoffs. Cheap Under Armour Shoes Australia .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April.Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Ulanbator showed a lot of spunk in winning Saturdays $50,000 allowance race over 2014 Belmont Stakes runner-up Commissioner at Gulfstream Park. Sent off as the 5-1 third pick, Ulanbator got the best of 3-5 favorite Commissioner in the 1 1/16-mile allowance race. Trained by Ian Wilkes, Ulanbator and jockey Julien Leparoux stalked the pace being set by Secretive and Commissioner. Ulanbator, owned by Mary Ann Charlston, drew even with Commissioner in mid- stretch where the two bumped. Taking a short lead down the stretch was 30-1 longshot Looking Cool after trailing the field in the early going. Ulanbator split Looking Cool and Commissioner, also making his 2015 debut, nearing the wire and was able to post a head decision over Looking Cool with the favorite another neck back. Dawly, the 4-1 second choice, was fourth followed by Secretive, Tarpys Goal, Dudeman and Undertakker.dddddddddddd It was a real gutsy effort, Wilkes said. We were third at the quarter pole in between horses and probably a good half-length behind. He had to dig in from between horses and showed a little bit of grit today. Ulanbator covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.75 on a fast track. The $500,000 Donn Handicap on February 7, the years first major race for older horses, is a possible next start for both Ulanbator and Commissioner. I think hes a horse that needs to find his rhythm, Commissioners trainer Todd Pletcher noted. It might have been a touch quicker than what we would have wanted, but he seemed to be doing it within himself. I thought he ran well. The two new 4-year-olds will likely take on Lea in defense of last years Donn title. Lea, trained by Hall of Fame member Bill Mott, won Saturdays Hals Hope Stakes at Gulfstream. I guess theres a month back to the Donn and well just have to see, Mott said. ' ' '