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The weak and weary need not apply for Sams Club. TSN basketball analyst and former Toronto Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell announced his midseason inductees to the illustrious self-titled club Thursday, and they all had one thing in common. “Sams Club members come in, we punch the clock, we do our job and we go home,” he told TSNs Cabrel Richards. “We know who and what we are. Were dirt diggers, were grimy, we get in the dirt, we can take it. You know why? Because were mentally tough and we wont give in.” The midseason entrants are not among the NBAs elite and none of them were invited to the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Feb. 16. Here are the selections for Sams Club through the first half of the season. Amir Johnson, PF, Toronto Raptors: “The most important things that Amir Johnson brings to Toronto are mental toughness, rebounding and defence. Hes added the three-ball to his game and you look at Amir Johnson, he had a stretch where he averaged about 18 points a game and shot way over 50 per cent.” Tony Allen, SG, Memphis Grizzlies: “Tough, single-minded, a defensive guy, a guy that fights through screens, a guy that dont need the basketball. Hes been out, missed some games, but theres no better on-the-ball defender than Tony Allen. Lance Stephenson, SG, Indiana Pacers: “Hes in the club because hes tough. Hes not an all-star to me but hes the most improved player. But Lance Stephenson brings a certain toughness, he has a certain bravado that he gives to the Pacers. Taj Gibson, PF, Chicago Bulls: “Taj Gibson is mentally tough. Hes a great defender, shot blocker, takes the toughest four or five every single night. Carlos Boozer has been complaining recently about his minutes in the fourth quarter. Taj Gibson has taken those minutes because he plays defence, rebounds the ball, and now lately hes scoring the basketball.” Nicolas Batum, SF, Portland Trail Blazers: “He takes the toughest offensive player every night, whether its point guard, two-guard or small forward. Very unselfish guy, doesnt call for the ball, excellent shooter, just plays his role.” P.J. Tucker, SF, Phoenix Suns: “Just tough. Just put him out there. See, part of being a part of Sams Club is you have to get better every year in and year out. Now P.J. Tucker is over a 40 per cent three-point shooter, a guy that can shoot, but hes the best defender on this Phoenix team. You talking about tough, gritty and grimy, theres nobody in the United States that I would rather walk down a dark alley with.” While Stephenson looks to be the front-runner for the NBAs Most Improved Player award, the other new members of the Sams Club will likely not see any league-wide recognition for their efforts. Mitchell, though, doesnt think a lack of attention will bother this group of “dirt diggers.” “We dont want it.” Billy Price Jersey . Following the Ford Womens World Curling Championship gold medal match that attracted record-breaking audiences to TSN, the networks exclusive live coverage of the tournament begins Saturday at 7am et/4am pt with Canadas opening draw against Denmark. Sam Hubbard Bengals Jersey . As analysts we do the same thing, so here are some observations from week one. First there were two major upsets. I should say, major upsets in the eyes of the fans and prognosticators. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengal...-Walton-Jersey/. Perhaps their first trip to the city of Winnipeg in 16 years can serve as the shakeup they need. Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Austin does not believe the game-time temperature is going to be an advantage for either side heading into the Grey Cup. "We dont think about (the cold)," said Austin. "Im not even sure how you would determine an advantage. Malik Jefferson Jersey .twitter.com/TeZD3KOvlA — Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay, we just got back from lunch at Papa Vons #NBAFastFood pic.CHICAGO -- Kobe Bryant is riding a bike. Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant broke a bone in his left knee Dec. 17 at Memphis while playing his fourth game in five nights, likely sidelining the superstar guard for six weeks. The injury against the Grizzlies occurred in his sixth game back after he missed the start of the season while recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon. The pair of injuries for the 35-year-old Bryant raised questions about whether he would ever return to his previous form. But he said Monday night he had no doubt he would play at a similarly high level again. "There was before I came back the first time because I didnt know how my Achilles was going to respond to playing and changing directions," Bryant said before the Lakers played the Bulls in Chicago. "The game in Memphis I had a pretty good feel for it, getting back to being able to do what I normally could do. I feel confident about it. I did play that second half on a fractured leg and played pretty well. I feel pretty good about my chances." But the rehab from the knee injury has been slow going so far. The 15-time All-Star said he is limited to mostly bike work right now and any talk of a return is up in the air until he returns to the court. "Try not to think about it too much," he said. "Just go day to day." Playing without Bryant and Steve Nash, the Lakers had lost 12 of 15 heading into the game at Chicago. But Los Angeles had won two in a row since a six-game losing streak, with Nick Young and Kendall Marshall helping fuel the mini-recovery. The Lakers still face a long road back to contention in the loaded Western Conference, especially with their injury issues. Nash is out with a back problem, and the team also is missing guards Jordan Farmar (torn left hamstring), Steve Blake (torn elbow ligament) and Xavier Henry (right knee bone bruise).dddddddddddd "It just makes it harder," coach Mike DAntoni said of playing without two of the teams biggest stars. "Youre not quite as good as you were when you had the guy. The biggest thing is how to finish games off because you know where youre going if theyre on the floor. Youve got to figure that out." Henry could return soon. He is expected to step up his rehab work when the Lakers practice Wednesday in Miami. Even with his limited action, Bryant remains one of the most popular players in the league. He had the most All-Star votes among the Western Conference guards when balloting was announced Jan. 9. The fan voting was set to close Monday night, and the starters for the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans will be announced on Thursday. "Ive always looked forward to playing in All-Star games. Its always something thats been a huge honour," Bryant said. "With that being said, I havent played. I think some of the other guys who have been out there performing and playing well and are All-Star worthy should be the ones out there playing." Bryant isnt taking anything for granted in his 18th NBA season, especially with his injury problems over the last two years. All the time on the sideline also has provided more perspective on how the game has changed since he was a rookie in the 1996-97 season. "Its much, much less physical," he said. "Some of the flagrant fouls I see called nowadays makes me nauseous. You cant touch a guy without it being a flagrant foul. I think some of that are some of the negatives Ive seen change. But theres positives, too." 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