has his sons name NAYMIN tattooed on his neck. ... The Grizzlies were 16-5 during Alle

WASHINGTON -- General manager George McPhee and coach Adam Oates lost their jobs with the Washington Capitals on Saturday, about two weeks after the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Cheapest Adidas Basketball Shoes . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes." McPhees contract was up and the team announced it will not give him a new one after his 17 years as the GM, which included drafting Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in the first round. Oates was fired with one season left on his three-year deal. A former star player for the Capitals, he was in his first job as an NHL head coach. Washington finished this season with the ninth-most points in the Eastern Conference, one spot out of a playoff berth. "You have to do something to pivot the team to be an ongoing strong team," Leonsis said. "And I just felt that new leadership at this time was needed, and lets start it with a clean slate." Asked whether any player would be untouchable as part of upcoming changes -- a chance, perhaps, for Leonsis to mention captain and top scorer Ovechkin -- the owner replied: "Im not the general manager. So If the general manager comes with something, we would listen to the general manager." Ovechkin has won three league MVP awards and again led the NHL in scoring this season with 51 goals, but the Capitals havent made it past the second round of the playoffs during the Russian wings career. Dick Patrick, the president of the Capitals, said the team already has drawn up a list of potential GM candidates. "Typically, youd like to have a general manager in place and have him choose a coach," Patrick said. The Capitals reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1998, McPhees first year on the job, and were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Later, McPhee oversaw a "rebuild" ordered by Leonsis, including jettisoning top players with big contracts such as Jaromir Jagr. "Lets not forget that rebuilding process was dramatic. And I watched a great executive go through really, really hard times and really rebuild that team quickly. We just didnt get there," Leonsis said. "At some point, you just have to try something different." While McPhee eventually built a young roster filled with offensive stars, he never placed as much emphasis on constructing a rugged, defensive-minded blue line crop. He hired a succession of coaches with zero previous NHL experience running a team, including Glen Hanlon, Bruce Boudreau, Dale Hunter and Oates. Led by Ovechkin, the Capitals produced terrific regular-season results for a half-dozen seasons, without similar success in the post-season. Four years ago, Washington won the Presidents Trophy for having the most points during the season, then lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Leonsis called McPhee, who built seven division-winning teams, "a talented man, a great friend," but that it was time for "a fresh set of eyes." The Capitals went 65-48-17 under Oates in his two seasons. In a brief statement released via the team, Oates called it "a tremendous honour to coach the Capitals these past two seasons" and said he was "grateful for the opportunity." In his first season in charge, which was shortened because of a labour dispute, Washington reached the playoffs with a late surge before losing in the first round to the New York Rangers in seven games. "We were a continuously improving playoff team until we werent. And the last two seasons showed us that we need to improve. And thats what it came down to," Leonsis said. "Dick and I said, We have to make that gut check. Do we have to change? And where do you start? And you start with the coach and the general manager." Adidas Nmd Mens Ireland .35 million, avoiding arbitration. Davis led the majors last season with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs, both career highs. He earned $3. Adidas Nmd Shoes Near Me .com) - Novak Djokovic captured a mens Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title on Sunday by defeating rival Andy Murray in the final in Melbourne. http://www.cheapnmdsneakersireland.com/yeezy-powerphase-cheap-ireland.html . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon.MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch. Zach Randolph had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Grizzlies survived a late rally for a 102-96 victory over the Clippers on Friday night. Allen, the Grizzlies defensive sparkplug, missed the previous 21 games with a sprained left wrist. His return sparked a defensive effort that held the Clippers to 33 per cent shooting in the second half and gave Memphis a double-digit lead that was enough of a buffer for the Grizzlies to win their fourth straight. Allen scored nine points on 4-of-4 shooting with two steals and a block. "With TA back in the lineup, its great," Randolph said. "Hes a leader on this team, and he gets guys going with his energy. What else can I say? Were happy to have him back." Allen drew a standing ovation when he entered the game late in the first quarter and seemed even more animated than usual in seeing his first action since Jan. 3. He said his goal was "to get in there and cause havoc." "I kind of had butterflies in my stomach when they did that," Allen said of the ovation, "but I got focused on the game." James Johnson added 15 for Memphis, and Mike Miller finished with 13, hitting 5 of 8 from the field. Courtney Lee scored 10 for Memphis. Gasol had four blocks. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Jamal Crawford had 23 points. Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists, but was 4 of 13 from the field as Los Angeles lost its second straight. "It was just one of those games that we missed a lot of easy ones," Griffin said after Los Angeles shot 39 per cent for the game. Clippers coach Doc Rivers thought the game started slipping away in the second quaarter. Adidas Nmd Wholesale China. Rivers, who coached Allen in Boston, noted that he was a key. "I thought Tony Allen, Mike Miller and James Johnson turned the game around for them with their energy," Rivers said. Another key was the bench scoring. Memphis reserves outscored their Clippers counterparts 43-7. "When we dont score, thats fine," Rivers said, "but weve got to be able to get stops. Our second unit didnt kill this offence, they gave up 32 points defensively, and that thats what hurt us." The Grizzlies opened the fourth quarter connecting on their first four shots for an 11-4 run to take the lead to double digits. Mike Conleys layup gave Memphis an 84-72 lead with 9:23 remaining. The margin stayed between seven and 11 points, and Memphis still led by 10 approaching the 4-minute mark. But Los Angeles chipped away, and a pair of free throws from Paul brought the Clippers within 98-96 with 1:05 left. That was as close as Los Angeles could get. Memphis scored the last four points while the Clippers were missing their final four shots. As has become the norm when the two teams face each other, the play was physical and defence stout. "Every game we play against them is going to be a battle, and we understand that," Conley said. "Both teams get up for each other, and (Los Angeles) is the most competitive team, I think, as far as rivalries go." NOTES: Griffin has scored at least 25 points in 10 straight games. ... The Clippers and Grizzlies have played 23 times since Jan. 26, 2012, including 13 games in the post-season. ... The loss snapped the Clippers three-game regular-season winning streak in Memphis. ... The Grizzlies promotion Friday night was a temporary "GRIZZLIES" neck tattoo as a nod to reserve F James Johnson, who has his sons name NAYMIN tattooed on his neck. ... The Grizzlies were 16-5 during Allens absence. ' ' '