8-81) reached the playoffs the past three seasons, but they fell victim to injuries and inconsistent pitching this year. They will have t

When watching DeMarcus Cousins play and evaluating his numbers over the years, it has always been easy to latch onto the things he does wrong, such as throw tantrums and get technical fouls, and overlook what he does right, such as put up 20.5 points and 10.8 rebounds a game over the course of his six-plus seasons in the NBA.Even when you take his scoring and rebounding into account, his below-average field goal percentage (46.1 percent in his career) and relatively low shot-blocking numbers (1.2 BPG in his career) for a big man have made it a trendy play to pass on him in favor of players such as?Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Hassan Whiteside.But guess what? That perception has to change.Not only is Cousins still scoring this season, putting up a career-high 28.7 PPG, but hes also still rebounding (10.4 RPG). On top of that, his shooting percentage of 47.2 percent would be the second-highest in his career if the season ended today. Theres more too. Cousins is dishing out more than three assists per game and getting more than one steal and one block per game, and he has become a force from 3-point land, shooting 39 percent from long range and making a career-best 1.7 3s per game.In a week with only a few major changes, Cousins is one of the headliners, moving ahead of Chris Paul and Karl-Anthony Towns to No. 10 on the list. Meanwhile, injury concerns stemming from Hassan Whitesides ailing knee move him down to No. 9, with LeBron James leapfrogging him and moving to No. 8.Zach LaVines standout week leads to a big jump to 45. Minnesotas third-year guard has played 38.8 minutes per game his past five contests and averaged 21.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1 steal and 1.6 3s in that span. His 36.3 minutes per game this season are tied with teammate Andrew Wiggins?for sixth in the league, and you shouldnt expect that to change under coach Tom Thibodeau.Elsewhere around the league, Mike Conleys transverse process fracture in his vertebrae is expected to sideline him six-to-eight weeks, and we have moved the Memphis point guard down to No. 99 as a result. Also, with Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin IV expected to serve as Conleys main fill-ins at point guard, we have listed Harrison at 150 and will track the rookie Baldwin in the weeks ahead to see if he warrants a spot on the list.Notable additions to this weeks rankings include athletic Denver rookie guard Jamal Murray, whose huge week (18.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.8 3PG in his past five games) elevates him all the way to No. 106. Terrence Jones (96), Cody Zeller (110) and Frank Kaminsky (141) are three other newcomers, though Jones should have been included in last weeks list.Here is the full rundown of the updated Top 150 rankings:Khalil Mack Youth Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Mitchell Trubisky Youth Jersey . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. http://www.chicagobearfootballauthentic.com/authentic-ha-ha-clinton-dix-bears-jersey/ . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Mitchell Trubisky Jersey . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Gale Sayers Jersey . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise.ST. LOUIS -- Back in April when the season started, it was easy to expect the Pirates season-ending trip to Busch Stadium meaning something for both Pittsburgh and the St. Louis Cardinals.Instead, all Pittsburgh can do when it closes the season is play the role of spoiler against a Cardinals team trying to make its sixth consecutive National League playoff appearance.St. Louis starts the Friday night series opener fresh off the years most controversial win, a 4-3 decision Thursday night over the Cincinnati Reds that was decided by Yadier Molinas two-out RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning.Molinas one-hop liner shouldnt have scored Matt Carpenter, though, because the ball hit off signage beyond the left field wall. It should have been a ground-rule double, but third base umpire Scott Barry ruled the ball in play and the Reds didnt challenge fast enough after the fact.Biggest win of the year, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said, and tomorrow nights the biggest game of the year. Cant wait.St. Louis (83-76) is two games behind the New York Mets (85-74) for the NLs top wild-card spot and a game in arrears of the San Francisco Giants (84-75) for the second spot.The Giants close the season with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Mets finish with three at Philadelphia.The Cardinals will have the matchup advantage in the opener against the Pirates as St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez (15-9, 3.15 ERA) will face raw but talented Pittsburgh right-hander Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 4.91).Martinez is coming off a 3-1 loss Sunday night at the Chicago Cubs that saw him work six innings aand give up two runs on six hits and four walks while fanning six.dddddddddddd Martinez is 3-5 with a 4.01 career ERA against the Pirates, and 1-2 this season in three starts.Glasnow will make his fourth career start. His first occurred July 7 in St. Louis, where he pitched decently for 5 1/3 innings but lost 5-1 as Adam Wainwright stifled Pittsburgh for seven innings. The hard-throwing Glasnow can touch the mid to upper 90s with his fastball but has experienced command issues at times.The Pirates (78-81) reached the playoffs the past three seasons, but they fell victim to injuries and inconsistent pitching this year. They will have to sweep the series to avoid their 21st losing season in 24 years.Pittsburgh will be without left fielder Starling Marte (back) for the weekend and might be without shortstop Jordy Mercer (forearm) as well.Were going to play all the men that are capable of playing, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. Marte has been unplugged. Mercer might not be able to go. You saw a couple of throws he made across the diamond (Thursday). ... Thats basically all hes got.Pittsburgh leads the season series 9-7, having won five of the seven games in St. Louis. The Cardinals are 35-43 at Busch Stadium, clinching their first losing mark at home since 1999.The Saturday game will match Pirates right-hander Chad Kuhl (5-4, 4.25) against a pitcher to be determined. St. Louis will use Wainwright (13-9, 4.67) in Sundays regular-season finale opposite Ryan Vogelsong (3-7, 5.00). ' ' '