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The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2, the league said in a statement.The league added that it hoped to announce a new location for next Februarys events shortly. It hopes to reschedule the 2019 game for Charlotte if there is a resolution to the matter.We understand the NBAs decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so, Hornets chairman and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019.The leagues decision was first reported by the Vertical.Commissioner Adam Silver wanted to wait as long as possible to make one, believing positive dialogue could lead to changes it felt the law needed. But he also said a decision would need to be made this summer, and the league was disappointed when the General Assembly restored the ability of workers to use state law to sue over employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion and other factors -- but left gender identity and sexual orientation unprotected.There was no appetite among Republican lawmakers to change the provision requiring transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings -- a measure at the heart of two legal challenges in federal court.The law passed in a March special session also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from antidiscrimination protections related to the workplace, hotels and restaurants; and overrules local antidiscrimination ordinances. Republican leaders have said the law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed transgender people to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.Governor Pat McCrory lashed out at the sports and entertainment industry and the media in response to the NBAs announcement.The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present, McCrory said in a statement issued by his office.The law has drawn opposition from a number of entertainers who have canceled performances in North Carolina. Duke recently had to replace one of its games scheduled for next season when Albany was prevented from traveling to Raleigh by New York Governor Andrew Cuomos travel ban.So our states lost a lot, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Thursday.The fate of the state law is likely to be decided in federal courts where dueling lawsuits are being heard, with a judge saying he wants to start trial in four of the five cases by early November. Hes also set an Aug. 1 hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the laws bathroom access provision.Charlotte officials have said they expected the event to have an economic impact of around $100 million, based on data from recent All-Star Games in the comparable New Orleans and Orlando markets. The game could rival the $164 million economic impact of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the largest financial bump of any event for the city.Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts expressed disappointment that the laws discriminatory actions led to the NBAs decision and hoped the city will get another shot at the showcase in 2019.All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values, Roberts said in a statement. I appreciate the NBA and our Charlotte Hornets being such strong champions of equality.Several NBA cities could be in line to host the game, including New Orleans -- which has hosted the leagues midseason showcase twice. The Pelicans are owned by Tom Benson.New Orleans has demonstrated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero said Thursday after the leagues announcement. We will do everything possible to assist the NBA, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Pelicans in their efforts, if called upon.Silver has said having Jordan, one of the NBAs most recognized figures, in Charlotte was one of reasons to have the game there. He also praised Charlotte plans that had been made for renovations, which included upgrading the infrastructure, suites and scoreboard -- all of which have been completed or are close to being completed.On Thursday, Jordan thanked city leaders for their support.We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid, Jordan said. We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. China Jerseys For Sale . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. China Jerseys website . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. http://www.chinajerseyspaypal.com/ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. China Jerseys Replica . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. China Jerseys Outlet . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. NEW YORK -- Mets manager Terry Collins addressed his team on Friday night following its fourth loss in five games.He didnt yell at the players or get upset despite the clubs recent skid.What was his message instead? Lighten up.If we have a meeting somethings wrong, so I dont like to have meetings, Collins said. So tonight I just walked in and said, `Guys, we got to lighten it up in here. Turn the music up, lighten the atmosphere around here.Tyler Chatwood kept winning on the road, Carlos Gonzalez homered and drove in four runs and the Colorado Rockies defeated New York 6-1 Friday night for their fourth straight victory.Mark Reynolds homered and Charlie Blackmon had four hits for the surging Rockies. They are 11-4 since the All-Star break and have moved within four games of Miami for the second NL wild-card spot.Chatwood (10-6) improved to 6-0 with a 1.30 ERA away from Coors Field this season. The 26-year-old is 4-6 with a 5.69 ERA at home.Gonzalez matched a season-high hitting streak of 11 games with an RBI double in the first. He hit a 448-foot, three-run drive in the ninth for his 21st homer.Its a tough place and obviously they have really good pitching so youre trying to take what they give you and not try to do too much, Gonzalez said. Great things happen when you take that approach.Steven Matz (8-7) gave up two runs and 10 hits in six innings.I think from a battling standpoint, I got out of some big situations that limited the damage as much as I could, Matz said. In a tight ballgame like that, scattering 10 hits and falling behind there in the sixth inning to give them the lead, is frustrating.James Loney homered for the Mets. Alejandro De Aza had another kind of hit -- he had a pinch-single in the eighth, and later was running to third when he was grazed in the helmet bby the shattered barrel of Travis dArnauds bat.ddddddddddddDown 3-1, the Mets got a pair of singles to start the eighth off Jake McGee. Scott Oberg relieved and retired the next three batters on just three pitches. The Mets are the majors worst hitting team with runners in scoring position.It seems that we are pressing a little bit, especially in situations where we have guys on base and we have opportunities to bring runs home, outfielder Michael Conforto said.As for Collins pep talk?Thats the message, lets have some fun. Lets not get too serious here, not get too down on ourselves. Lets go have some fun and get on a roll like we did last year. We know we can do it, Conforto said.HALL OF FAME WELCOMEThe Mets started a weekend-long tribute to Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, handing out replica jerseys to all fans. A large home plate with Piazzas No. 31 in the middle was etched into the center field grass in anticipation of Saturdays number retirement ceremony.Its truly an honor to be able to celebrate his career here in New York and it means so much and Im so honored to be able to wear that No. 31 on my shoulder, dArnaud said.TRAINERS ROOMMets: 3B Jose Reyes (strained left ribcage) missed his fourth straight game. `Hes a little closer, Collins said. `Weve got to be careful not to overdo it.UP NEXTLHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 5.70) is slated to start for Colorado on Saturday night in a matchup of veterans, opposed by 43-year-old righty Bartolo Colon (9-5, 3.35). The 35-year-old De La Rosa is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA in three starts at Citi Field. Colon will be starting on short rest, earning the win over St. Louis in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. ' ' '