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Houstons Big 12 candidacy received three major endorsements Thursday, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick and University of Texas president Greg Fenves posted messages on Twitter endorsing the Cougars bid to join the conference.?Following the endorsements, Houston regents chair Tilman Fertitta told ESPN.com that his school welcomed the support.?I very much appreciate it, he said. I always thought President Fenves was an intelligent man. We cant do this without the support of our burnt orange neighbors. We appreciate them all.Houston is currently in the American Athletic Conference.?Texas, like every current Big 12 school, would have a vote on whether Houston is invited into the conference. A supermajority (eight votes) is needed for a school to get into the Big 12.?As chairman of the Big 12 Conference, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the prospects of any individual university, Oklahoma president David Boren said in a statement.?On Tuesday, the conference announced that it had authorized commissioner Bob Bowlsby to begin exploring expansion candidates. ? Ales Hemsky Jersey . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Maurice Richard Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.cheapcanadiensjerseyschina.com/ . 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Ten players were named to the WNBAs first and second teams on Friday, and not one of them was the woman who is still considered by many to be one of the best female basketball players in the world: Candace Parker.Less than a week earlier, shed been honored pregame as one of the 20 best players in the 20-year history of the WNBA, and somehow, at age 30, after leading Los Angeles to the WNBA Finals, she wasnt even recognized as one of the 10 best players in the league after a season in which she finished top 10 in points, rebounds, assists and steals?Its ridiculous. But this is what happens when a star female athlete doesnt play the role thats been expected of her.Parker hasnt won WNBA championships like she was expected to coming out of the University of Tennessee. Perhaps shes complained a bit too often for some tastes about working conditions or the need for physical and mental rest after year-round competition. She most assuredly didnt kiss the rings of the officials in charge of the Olympic team selection process, who could get away with leaving her off the squad that competed in Rio de Janeiro because the United States is so much better than the rest of the world that it can win without her.Yes, Parker can be inconsistent in her effort and play. But based on ability, production and talent, shes still one of the best two or three players in the womens game. So how in the world can she be left off the Olympic team and the all-WNBA teams?All season Parker has had to control her anger and disappointment at these slights.All season, shes kept it inside.She couldnt let these insults become the latest reason she hasnt won a WNBA championship after an illustrious career at Tennessee.Her legacy is on the line. One more win, and the title shes been searching for the past nine years will be hers. One more win, and all the dislocated shoulders, knee surgeries and ankle sprains will be worth it.That Maya Moore stands in the way of Parkers actualizing on the great promise she entered the league with as the No. 1 overall pick in 22008 is kind of perfect.dddddddddddd Moore has had the career Parker was expected to have. The former Connecticut star, in her sixth season, already has three titles and an MVP award.Moore has also had a more stable, well-run organization and talented rosters with longtime co-stars Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles and Lindsay Whalen. The Lynx have been one of the WNBAs best franchises. The Sparks nearly moved two years ago before a group led by the Los Angeles Dodgers owners stepped in to buy them at the last minute.The Sparks wouldnt be poised to win the WNBA Finals without Parker, and frankly, they wont be able to finish off Minnesota without Parker at her absolute best. Shes the engine who drives everything for L.A. Which is not a knock on the relentless Nneka Ogwumike, the WNBAs MVP, but more a reflection of Parkers unique all-around game. Think of Ogwumike as Draymond Green and Parker as some sort of combination of Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala.For L.A. to win, Parker has to make her teammates better and be dominant at both ends of the court. She must create for others and herself. She must defend and rebound and force steals.Moore has to be phenomenal as well, but Minnesota has the depth and talent to survive an off night or off half from Moore. In Game 1, for example, Moore was scoreless in the first half. But the Lynx kept the game close because Whalen got it going.Parker has been fully aware of whats expected of her throughout her WNBA career: carry the league, her team, womens sports. Become a crossover star in the second-largest media market in the country. Win titles and MVP awards.Oh, and be quiet as the Sparks lurched aimlessly from one owner to the next. Say nothing and stay classy when shes snubbed by the Olympic team.Raise her daughter, Laila. Mourn her friend, coach and mentor, Pat Summitt.It is a familiar burden for the gifted and talented. An impossible standard that Parker has paid a heavy price for not conforming to.She can change that Sunday. All eyes, as always, will be on her. ' ' '