Die Jäger des Schicksals » sits atop the Western Conference with an

NEW DELHI - When the Indian Super League kicked off, it certainly seemed to add the zing that football needed in a country which FIFA chief Sepp Blatter once called a sleeping giant of the game.But while the new eight-team league featuring big names such as Nicolas Anelka, Alessandro Del Piero, Robert Pires and Luis Garcia has lifted football to a level not seen here before, many observers are wondering whether it will be enough to help grow the domestic game in the long run.The tournament, which began in October and finishes in December, has big money and sponsors behind it — organized by IMG-Reliance in collaboration with Rupert Murdochs Star India group and the All India Football Federation.And interest among fans has been high through the first half of the tournament, with attendance averaging 22,639 per match, the highest for a football league in Asia.Indian football has never been packaged so well before, said Sukhvinder Singh, managing director of the football marketing consultancy Libero Sports. Its reached even people who do not follow football and some 70 million watched it on the first day. I feel its already the second best sports property here after crickets Indian Premier League.Part of the reason for its success has been the use of cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as well as a handful of Indian film stars, to market the league across the country.But despite the added glamour, some critics believe Indian football will not benefit greatly if the countrys top domestic league, the I-League, is left to rot.Brazilian great Zico, who helped lead the transformation of domestic football in Japan, said the existence of two separate leagues could be an impediment to the sports growth.In Japan, the difference was that everyone was playing in one league only and not two leagues like in India, said Zico, who is coaching the Goa club in the ISL. Here, some of the very good players are not playing in ISL.Top football officials such as FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke and AIFF President Praful Patel insist the I-League remains Indias only league and the ISL is merely a tournament.Narinder K. Bhatia, vice-president of the Delhi Soccer Association, fears that a clash of systems could negatively impact the game in the long run.State associations are being sidelined. I fear the football culture will suffer rather than improve as even the present feeder system will collapse, he said. On the one hand, people are getting to watch the likes of players like Messi on television, and on the other these semi-retired players. Do you think people will become fans of these players? Theyll forget our own players and past stars.Singh, too, is in favour of having just one league in the country.We have resourceful companies backing teams in either league and I would love to see them combined and play a six-to-eight month league, he said. I would ideally like a situation where everyone is working toward improving the grassroots and instilling club culture.Indian football journalist and author Mohammad Aminul Islam also doubts the new league will successfully raise the standard of football in India because its dominated by foreign players and, in his opinion, the quality of the matches has so far been mediocre.Brazilian midfielder Blumer is the leading scorer with eight goals, while players like Anelka and Del Piero clearly have too much still for Indian players, despite being past their primes.The ISL should have only one or two active marquee players in each team instead of several over-the-hill stars, Islam said. The ISL shouldve encouraged locals more than foreigners.As for the fans, many are happy to shell out 200 rupees (about $3) for the spectacle, even if the level of play isnt so great.Were not really backing teams, said student Aryan Singh after watching a game in New Delhi. Its only a matter of getting a feel of watching a football match live rather than cricket. Cheap Los Angeles Chargers Gear .com) - Al Horford collected 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks held off a furious rally to beat the Detroit Pistons 106-103 on Friday night in a game between two of the NBAs hottest teams. Custom Chargers Jerseys . Dallas (2-0-1) sits atop the Western Conference with an MLS-best seven points. Castillo opened the scoring in the 71st minute off a Mauro Diaz set piece, and Watson outran defender Tony Lochhead on a long ball and then juked goalkeeper Ian Kennedy for the eventual game-winner in the 78th minute. http://www.cheapchargers.us/ . Ive said it before, Ive worked with top pros and I could have made my own program. Cheap Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys Online .com) - Driphus Jackson had three touchdown passes, including two in a 19-second span in the opening quarter, to guide Rice to a 30-6 rout of Fresno State at the Hawaii Bowl. Authentic Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys . Rob Klinkhammer and Mikkel Boedker scored 63 seconds apart in the first period for the Coyotes, who handed the Kings their third straight loss and took over sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference. Mike Smith made 36 saves.PHILADELPHIA - Now healthy, the Oklahoma City Thunder have some ground to make up, and they got going against the hapless 76ers.Russell Westbrook had 27 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 103-91 victory over Philadelphia on Friday night.It was the first win for the Thunder (6-13) with stars Kevin Durant and Westbrook healthy and back in the lineup together.Its a good time of the year for us, Westbrook said. I think its important that we stick together, take one day at a time and find a way to get wins.Durant, the NBAs reigning MVP, had 10 points while playing in his second game since missing the first 17 because of a fractured right foot.Weve just got to take it a day at a time and keep getting better, Durant said. Were doing a decent job. Weve just got to keep putting it together, keep grinding away.After scoring 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting in his return to the court in Tuesdays 112-104 loss at New Orleans, Durant was in jeopardy of failing to reach double-figures in scoring for the first time since 2009 before making a layup with 2:41 remaining.Hes not going to have 30 points every night, Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. What you see now is a player who hasnt played in six or seven weeks. Hes going to continue to improve and the rhythm is going to come back around.Durant is trying to get comfortable after missing so much time.Im just trying to adjust, he said. Certain things Im not used to. Im just trying to adjust, be aggressive, play my game - attack at certain times but also play off my teammates and get them involved as well.Westbrook, playing in his third game after returning from a broken hand, made 8 of 14 shots. He was involved in a sometimes heated verbal battle with Philadelphia second-year point guard Michael Carter-Williams.Young dudes in this league tend to bark a lot, Durant said. I think he put him in his place and let him know who the best point guard in the league is.Serge Ibaka scored 19 points and Jeremy Lamb added 15 for the Thunder, who won their 11th straight against Philadelphia.Robert Covington had 21 points and Carter-Williams contributed 16 points and 14 assists for the 76ers, who were playing their first game since ending a 17-game lossing streak to start the season.ddddddddddddPhiladelphia coach Brett Brown wasnt discouraged by yet another defeat.They know theyre going to continue to get better and were going to sneak up on some people, he said. Its the same old, same old. Were just going to bang out great days and they will add up.The Thunder broke the game open with a 13-3 run to start the second half, capped by Ibakas 3-pointer that made it 70-50 with 8:17 left in the third quarter. Ibaka rebounded from scoring a season-low six points on Tuesday.Philadelphia got as close as 93-86 on Luc Mbah a Moutes layup with 3:12 left, but the Thunder scored eight straight to go in front 101-86 with 1:37 left.TIP-INSThunder: Oklahoma City improved to 2-8 on the road. The other win was a 109-84 victory at Boston on Nov. 12. ... Durant last scored under 10 points on Feb. 27, 2009, when he had six in a 110-108 loss at Dallas.76ers: Tony Wroten, who leads Philadelphia in scoring (17.9 ppg), missed his fourth straight game with a right knee injury. ... Alexey Shved (hip) was out for the second consecutive game. ... Philadelphia signed G Malcolm Lee from the Delaware 87ers, its D-League affiliate and waived Drew Gordon.UP NEXTThe Thunder play at Detroit on Sunday.Philadelphia plays at Detroit Saturday.WILT STAMPThe 76ers held a ceremony to dedicate a stamp depicting Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain during halftime.The Wilt Chamberlain Limited Edition Forever stamps, featuring the Big Dipper in action with the Philadelphia Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, became available on Friday morning. Chamberlain is the first NBA player to appear on a U.S. postage stamp.His stamps are just over two inches tall, or a third to twice the size of a typical commemorative stamp, according to the United States Postal Service. The word Wilt is on the corner of each stamp.WESTBROOK VS. MCWCarter-Williams said the verbal sparring with Westbrook is just part of the game.It gets competitive with chit-chat back and forth, he said. Its part of the game. I have nothing against him. It just gets intense. Theres pride involved. After the game, its all good. During the game, it is what it is. Its part of the game, its fun and I enjoy it. 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