CHICAGO -- Like many people around the NBA, New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony couldnt believe that Dwyane Wade actually decided to leave the Miami Heat and sign with the Chicago Bulls.I was shocked, Anthony said before Thursdays Team USA practice at the United Center. I was shocked more from a standpoint it was just hard to see. Its hard to see some players in different uniforms and hes one of those guys who I never thought I would see in a different uniform other than Miami. But it happened, and I got a chance to talk to him and sit down with him and really dig deep about his feelings and what happened. Hes at peace now. And when hes at peace, Im at peace with it.Wade surprised many in the league by spurning the Heat to sign a two-year deal with the Bulls earlier this month. Anthony, who was wooed by the Bulls two summers ago but ultimately decided to re-sign with the Knicks, acknowledged that the free-agency process can be mentally taxing for players.I dont think the masses really understand how difficult those decisions are, Anthony said. And what goes into those decisions. And as athletes whats going through our mind during those decisions. A lot of people think we can just wake up and we can just make those decisions -- its not that easy.Anthonys comments come just a few weeks after two of the most successful Bulls in recent memory, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, landed in New York. Rose was dealt to the Knicks last month. Noah signed as a free agent.We love them, Anthony said. We love those additions. And were looking forward to getting the season going. And I think everybody is excited, the excitement is back. Right now theres an adjustment on paper, but of course we have some work to do putting it all together, making it work. But were going to ride the wave of this excitement right now.As for a rekindling of a rivalry between the Bulls and Knicks, Anthony said he knows that its possible with all the moves both teams have made.I know you guys want that, Anthony said. I know youre living for that. But we embrace that. I think as players, as competitors, we embrace all of those challenges and rivalries, thats what makes the sport great again, so we embrace that.Anthony seemed certain that when the schedule comes out, the Bulls and Knicks would be facing off against each other either on opening night or Christmas Day as one of the leagues premiere matchups.Oh, theyre waiting for that, he said. Might be opening night -- one of the two. I guarantee you its one of the two.Bud Selig Brewers Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Bobby Wahl Brewers Jersey . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/709y-keston-hiura-jersey-brewers.html . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brandon Woodruff Brewers Jersey .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Hernan Perez Jersey .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city.ATLANTA -- Ted Roof is looking to solve Georgia Techs abysmal rankings in takeaways and third-down stops.Roof, in his fourth season as defensive coordinator, knows those will be keys when the Yellow Jackets play Duke on Saturday.Roof had a record of creating big plays with his aggressive defenses at Minnesota, Auburn and Penn State before his return to Georgia Tech, his alma mater, in 2013.This year has been a struggle. Georgia Techs six takeaways are the fewest in the Atlantic Coast Conference and rank 119th in the nation.Roof, Dukes coach from 2003-07, said his coaching emphasis on creating turnovers is as strong as ever.If I had an answer for you Id give it to you and better yet wed do it, more importantly, Roof said Monday. Weve just got to keep trying. If you just stay after it and stay after it one day it happens and one (turnover) can lead to two and two can lead to three.The Yellow Jackets 126th-ranked third-down defense was a focus of coach Paul Johnsons weekly news conference on Tuesday. Opponents have been successful on almost half of third downs (50 of 101).Weve got to be better on third downs and try to get off the field, Johnson said. Weve beat that horse to death, but thats the bottom line. ... I think if we could be better on third down everything will fall into place and make everything better.Georgia Tech (4-3, 1/3 Atlantic Coast Conference) snapped a streak of three straight losses by beating Georgia Southern 35-24 on Oct. 15. Johnson said the defense made some plays but addedd that two fourth-quarter touchdowns by the Eagles made the score disappointing.ddddddddddddThe Yellow Jackets defense played well in allowing only 31 combined points in wins over Boston College, Mercer and Vanderbilt to open the season.Their defense obviously has some special components about it, said Duke center Austin Davis, who added the defense is overshadowed by the constant focus on Georgia Techs spread-option offense with its triple-option plays.Everyone always thinks Georgia Tech triple option, Davis said. ... Georgia Techs defense doesnt get as much credit as they should.More credit would come with attention-grabbing big plays. So far the defense has three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Defensive tackle Patrick Gamble has three sacks. No other player has more than one.Roof said hes determined to find ways to create more turnovers.It frustrates you because its such a big component of winning and losing, he said. At the same time youve just got to keep working and stay after it.Saturdays visit from Duke (3-4, 0-3) is crucial for Georgia Techs hopes to salvage its season. The Yellow Jackets play road games against two Top 25 teams the next two weeks -- No. 21 North Carolina and No. 25 Virginia Tech.---AP Sports Writer Joedy McCreary in Durham, North Carolina, contributed to this report.---Online:More AP college football: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '
