ERST LESEN! » cle. Brown had a 3.679 at 328.30, Nobile power

LAS VEGAS -- Carmelo Anthony wants more than a better U.S. basketball team heading into the Olympics.He wants a better U.S.Anthony called for an end to gun violence, the killing of African-Americans and the targeting of police, and said his quest for that is bigger than his desire for what would be a record third gold medal.Its unfortunate, its sad, Anthony said Monday. You cant really put into words whats going on throughout the whole country, throughout the whole world. For us as a country, we have to stand united. We have to come together.The New York Knicks forward has spoken out more and more lately, challenging fellow athletes to do the same. He has taken his message to Instagram and the ESPYS, and if he wants another forum, there arent too many bigger spotlights than the Olympics.Will he take his message all the way to the medal podium?We always say that the timing could not have been any better for us as a country, having a chance to come together and being united, Anthony said, then go over there on the biggest stage you can possibly play on and have that voice and represent something that is bigger than us as players.The U.S. team may not wait for Rio. Details are still being finalized, but Anthony, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski have hinted at plans for some kind of community forum in conjunction with the league when the Americans head to Los Angeles following camp to play an exhibition game against China.I think it can be great. When we talk about united, thats what we keep talking about, forward Draymond Green said. Obviously we saw a lot of guys speak out about guys getting in front of this thing, and coming together right now with the opportunity to possibly win a gold medal and try to lead the charge with whats going on in the country. I think it could be really special.Anthony isnt just a celebrity posting politically correct messages on his social media accounts. He marched with protesters in his hometown of Baltimore last year following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody and took part with other NBA players in an ad campaign to stop gun violence.In recent weeks alone, there were black men killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, followed by attacks on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Anthony was moved to write a lengthy Instagram post and later a plea for involvement in a piece for The Guardian, in which he talked about the opportunity his teammates have to make a stand during the Olympics.Im kind of a guy who likes speaking behind closed doors. I dont like taking credit, Anthony said. I really like talking to guys one-on-one. Any of my colleagues will tell you Ive had that voice. They always came to me for that type of advice. But now is an opportunity to get it out there. Its a very sensitive time for us.He wasnt planning on going to the ESPYS until a conversation with close friends and former Olympic teammates LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, leading to their powerful opening to the awards show last week.What they did at the ESPYS was unbelievable, and we applaud these guys, Krzyzewski said.Those players were set for life financially two contracts ago, let alone what theyll sign for this summer and next. Some members of this Olympic team are still waiting on their big endorsement dollars, and speaking out about a cause can come with a cost.Even Michael Jordan was famously unwilling to take those stances as a player, but Anthony -- who endorses Jordans sneaker line -- wont hear that excuse anymore.At the end of the day, the tragedies thats happening, it affects people, Anthony said. Were athletes, but at the end of the day were human beings, so were affected by all of that. We have families that are in some of those cities.Twelve years ago, Anthony appeared in a video titled Stop Snitching in which alleged drug dealers talk about what happens to people who cooperate with the police.Anthony says he has since grown to understand the weight of his words and actions.I look back at those moments, I can fortunately enough, I can sit back and laugh at those situations because it made me grow up as a person and as a man, Anthony said. It made me grow up and realize ... I was an individual, how powerful my voice and presence is. It is something I didnt know at 19, 20, 21 years old. You just dont know those things. Youre going through life like nothing can affect you.As you get older, the plan is to grow and mature. For me, it was a matter of being knowledgeable and having the wisdom and understanding my situation of where Im at, being a professional athlete and what comes along with that.Anthony said that he doesnt have any solutions for the current problems and isnt sure anyone else does. But he feels he has helped spark conversation in recent weeks, and his teammates say they need to continue it.Thats our job, guard DeMar DeRozan said. A lot of people look up to us. Were an inspiration to a lot of people. So for us to share a positive light and try to make things better, as a collective group of guys, thats our duty to do that.Information from ESPNs Ian Begley and The Associated Press was used in this report.Chance Adams Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Chad Green Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.cheapyankeesjerseyschina.com/nestor-cortes-jr-jersey/ . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Luis Severino Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Clint Frazier Jersey . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions.BRAINERD, Minn. -- Antron Brown and Ron Capps gave Don Schumacher Racing a sweep of the rain-delayed final rounds of the NHRA Northwest Nationals on Saturday at Brainerd International Raceway.The Top Fuel and Funny Car finals were moved to Minnesota after they were washed out two weeks at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. They were run during the third round of qualifying in the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.Brown had a 3.747-second pass at 320.13 mph in his Top Fuel dragster to beat Steve Torrence. Brown has four victories this year and leads the season standings.All of our boys were pushing hard on that one. The track was tight and it just gobbled it up. It felt good and we got it done. Its another Wally on the shelf.In Funny Car, Capps had a 4.014 at 322.42 in a Dodge Charger R/T to outlast Del Worsham for his milestone 50th career victory and fifth of the season. He also leads the standings..ddddddddddddMy family is here and this medal is going to my daughter who was in Seattle, Capps said. This trophy is going back to Seattle to all the fans back in Seattle and Oregon. Its going to make its rounds and I think they are going to be a little more rowdy out there.The Pro Stock final between Vincent Nobile and Aaron Strong will be run in two weeks in Indiana because Strong skipped the regular Brainerd competition.In the Brainerd event, Matt Hagan topped the Funny Car qualifiers with an NHRA time record of 3.822 seconds at 333.82 in a Charger.Brown led in Top Fuel, Nobile in Pro Stock, and Angelle Sampey in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Brown had a 3.679 at 328.30, Nobilecle. Brown had a 3.679 at 328.30, Nobile power