Die Macht » Stroman was at his best in July

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook continued his torrid triple-double pace to begin the season with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunders 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.Westbrook is the first player since Magic Johnson in the 1982-83 season to begin a season with a triple-double in two of the first three games.?Westbrook is the fourth player to have two triple-doubles in the first three games, joining Johnson (twice), Jerry Lucas and Oscar Robertson (twice). Through three games, Westbrook is averaging a triple-double with 38.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.6 assists. Robertson is the last player to average a triple-double, in 1961-62.I just like to win, Westbrook said. Thats my main thing. My job is to come out and do whatever it takes to win, and thats what I try to do every night.According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Westbrook is the first player with at least 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in the first three games of a season.Its a blessing, not surreal, its just blessing [to be mentioned with those names], Westbrook said. Me personally, I never take anything for granted when I step on the floor. Not once.Westbrook opened the season with 32 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists against the Philadelphia 76ers, and then followed that up with 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder are 3-0.What really amazes me is, because of his ability to impact the game in so many different ways, hes going to always have numbers, Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. But with that being said, what amazes me is the heart and the passion and the competitiveness and the fire he plays with every single night. I think its extremely rare. Its incredible. Thats what really amazes me.Westbrook attempted a career-high 44 shots in Fridays win over the Suns, but dialed back to 21 attempts on Sunday. After the game Friday, he said he regretted not trusting teammates more, and made that a focus against the Lakers, recording five assists in the first six minutes of the game.Better, for sure, Westbrook said. Making it easy for those guys and distributing the basketball around.Last season Westbrook posted 18 triple-doubles, which tied Johnson (in 1981-82) for the most in a single season in the last 40 years, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Todd Dunwoody Jersey . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. Kyle Keller Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Jose Fernandez Jersey . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Pat Rapp Jersey . 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. HOUSTON -- Having dropped consecutive series for the first time since early June, the Houston Astros will open a critical seven-game homestand starting Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays with an injury-ravaged roster contributing to their slump.After losing two of three at home to the New York Yankees, the Astros (55-49) were swept in Detroit, bookending a demoralizing 3-2 loss on Saturday night with two blowout losses.Houston also lost third baseman Luis Valbuena and center fielder Carlos Gomez to right hamstring strains on consecutive days and will learn of the status of utility infielder Marwin Gonzalez on Monday. Gonzalez has been sidelined by hand soreness.The Astros have lost five of six games and, after clawing to within 2 1/2 games of the Texas Rangers last week, dropped six games behind in their pursuit of the American League West pennant.The opener against Toronto could be influenced by more roster flux. Right-hander Doug Fister is slated to start but might land on the paternity list in anticipation of the birth of his first child. That situation facilitated the arrival on Sunday of right-hander Joe Musgrove (7-4, 2.74 ERA in the minors this year), who could make his major league debut.Were still in a holding pattern, Astros manager A.J. Hinch told MLB.com. This may be a photo finish for the game tomorrow. Until my phone lights up with a text or a call from (Fister), its sort of status quo.Right-hander Marcus Stroman (8-4, 4.92) will get the start for the Blue Jays. Stroman was at his best in July, finishing 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA in five starts, notching 30 strikeouts agaainst four walks in 34 innings.dddddddddddd.Stroman is 0-1 with a 15.00 ERA in his career against the Astros, having surrendered five runs, seven hits and one walk with one strikeout in three innings in his lone start against them.Having assumed the role of staff ace after the offseason departure of left-hander David Price, Stroman has endured an inconsistent year, one that took a positive turn in July when he posted his best numbers to date.The Blue Jays (59-46) briefly surged into first place in the AL East before dropping their series finale against the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 in 12 innings on Sunday. The loss was their first against the Orioles after a five-game series winning streak and capped a month in which Toronto finished 16-8, its best record in any month this season.Locked in a battle with the Orioles and Red Sox for the AL East title while also fending off a host of contenders, including the Astros, in the wild-card chase, the Blue Jays have been subject to countless rumors as the trading deadline nears. And while the recent additions of right-hander Joaquin Benoit and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. are likely to provide a lift, they dont preclude Toronto from doing more.To be honest with you, I dont think about it too much, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told MLB.com of the rampant trade rumors. Weve already made a couple of deals, so you never know. Everybodys rumored to be going here or going there, but you dont hear about anybody out in that room. ' ' '