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CHARLOTTE, N. Wholesale Nike Shoes China .C. -- Michael Jordan anticipates the Charlotte Hornets will make another big splash this off-season. Jordan said Monday with three draft picks and more than $13 million to spend in free agency the Hornets are in position to make a "big difference" in upgrading their roster. "I think we made a difference last year with Big Al (Jefferson) and some of the acquisitions -- and I dont anticipate this year being any different," Jordan said. Behind Jefferson, who was recently named third-team All-NBA, Charlotte made the playoffs for the first time since 2010 -- the year Jordan took over as majority owner. Jordan is hoping Jeffersons success will convince other big-name free agents to come to Charlotte. "I always thought Charlotte was a great destination," Jordan said. "Big Al has proven that you can come here and make a big difference. Hopefully we can look at that and attract some other superstars." Jordan spoke Monday following a presentation at Hornets Nest Elementary school in which he, along with Lowes and Fox SportsSouth, donated $250,000 to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The event marked the organizations first community service initiative since the changing its name from Bobcats to Hornets last month. The Hornets have the ninth, 24th and 45h picks in this months draft. If forward Josh McRoberts decides not to opt out of contract the Hornets will have all five starters from last season under contract -- and still have at least $13 million to spend under the NBA salary cap. If McRoberts opts out the team could have closer to $17 million free under the cap. "This year we have a lot of flexibility and Ive been speaking to that over the last three or four years -- flexibility is very important and we are going to use every resource to try to better the team," Jordan said. Charlotte finished last season 43-39 and earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, Jefferson injured his foot in the first game of the NBA playoffs and Charlotte was swept by the Miami Heat. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for a franchise that went 28-120 over the two previous seasons, by far the worst record in the NBA during that span. Jordan said he was "very proud" of what his team accomplished under first-year coach Steve Clifford. "The guys came out and took the initiative from coach and he was able to bond (them) and put together a good effort from the team," Jordan said. Jordan said Jefferson, who signed a three-year, $41 million contract last July 4 -- the largest ever given out by the franchise -- was better than advertised. But he said what was even more surprising is how quickly his new teammates adjusted to playing with a dominant low post presence. "Everybody surrounded him and we got better," Jordan said. "McRoberts was a huge part of that. So I think we got better as the year went along." Jordan said Jefferson, who was the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 20 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, deserved to be an All-Star. Jordan wouldnt say specifically what position the team might look to upgrade this off-season, instead saying he wants to find players who truly want to play in Charlotte. Another key, he said, is developing a core of young players including Kemba Walker, Jeffery Taylor, Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller. "We have a bunch of young talent that we still are trying to nourish into some better basketball players," Jordan said. "So summer is when we have to make our big leap." Authentic Wholesale Nike Shoes . LOUIS -- Russell Martin wanted a better fate for his starting pitcher and helped deliver a happier ending. Discount Nike Shoes .500 were once common achievements for the Dallas Mavericks. Now, both are season highs as Dallas slowly works its way back into playoff contention in the Western Conference. http://www.nikeshoxcheap.com/ . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team.REGINA - Rob Bagg has been with the Roughriders long enough to know that football is always a hot topic in Regina. Saskatchewan is coming off a 48-15 blowout loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week. As a result, countless hours of radio talk-show banter and roundtable discussions were devoted to the surprising rout as the highly scrutinized Roughriders fell to 1-1. "Any time you lose youre going to be frustrated or disappointed, all of those natural feelings," Bagg said. "But it is a six-month season and just like every play, you have to reload and move on to the next one. "Were playing B.C. this week and theres nothing we can do about what happened in Toronto." Saskatchewan made some significant moves in preparation for Saturdays home game against the winless B.C. Lions (0-2). Catch the game live on TSN as the back end of a doubleheader starting at 10pm et/7pm pt. Less than 48 hours after the loss to the Argos, the Riders dealt veteran halfback Dwight Anderson to Toronto. On Wednesday, the Riders signed former 1,000-yard rusher Jerome Messam. The 29-year-old Messam, who was cut by the Montreal Alouettes last month, is expected to dress for Saturdays game. The transactions have created a buzz in what has been anything but a calm week for the defending Grey Cup champions. "We knew after Week 1 that we were in for a test (in Toronto)," said Riders defensive end John Chick. "They had a rough week the week before and we knew they were going to come back corrected. They were better prepared in all areas than what we were. "Its nothing about the sky falling here or anything like that. Its about making corrections. We expect perfection and we expect to be a championship team. A performance like last week makes us realize that we have some work to do." Second-year Riders defensive back Macho Harris will take Andersons starting spot in the secondary, while Messam shoulld get his feet wet on special teams versus the Lions. Cheap Authentic Nike Shoes Wholesale. Meanwhile, running back Hugh Charles will get the starting assignment over Anthony Allen, who has started the previous two weeks. Allen leads the CFL in rushing with 224 yards but has fumbled in each of the first two games this season. Tristan Black has been pushing starter Sam Hurl at the weakside linebacker position this week at practice and should see more playing time versus the Lions. Slotback Chris Getzlaf wont play Saturday because of a nagging quadriceps injury and fullback Neal Hughes wont dress because of a foot injury. Riders head coach Corey Chamblin is optimistic his team has moved on from the lopsided loss and is taking in stride the bevy of roster changes ahead of the B.C. game. He likes what he has seen at practice this week. "I was pleased with their energy and I was pleased with their execution," Chamblin said. "Theyre bouncing back, theyre not looking back and theyre moving forward. Guys are starting to become leaders, new guys are starting to become more vocal and theyre starting to open up and trust one another. "Before long, well have the makings of a good team." The Riders expect a hungry Lions team that has dropped its first two games of the season, most recently a 24-9 defeat to the Montreal Alouettes. Quarterback Kevin Glenn, who is filling in for Travis Lulay, has thrown six interceptions in those two losses and running back Andrew Harris has just 63 rushing yards over that span. Both the Lions and Riders will be looking to bounce back from poor performances in Week 2. "Its never as bad as you think it was and its never as good as you think it was," Bagg said. "Most of what happened (in Toronto) didnt have anything to do with the plays. 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