Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 9-1-17

Sports
Master P Signs Lisa Leslie To Coach New Orleans Gators
Master P signs Lisa Leslie as coach of his New Orleans mixed gender basketball team. Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest, Stomile Swift, Tyrus Thomas and Big Baby Glen Davis have signed on to play.
Local
Labor Day Pool Party Sunday
Dadia will be celebrating her birthday Sunday.
2 LIT is hosting another VIP exclusive “The Bistro 60 Pool Party” Sunday at Bistro 60 on 9331 E. Adamo Dr.
Meet us there for this dress to impress swimwear outfits. Come catch the vibes! Starts at 2 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Bucs, Griffin Agree On Contract Extension
RYAN GRIFFIN
Because of a shoulder injury, Ryan Griffin has likely lost the backup quarterback job in Tampa Bay to Ryan Fitz- patrick. That didn't stop the Bucs from giving the young sig- nal-caller a contract extension Wednesday, however.
The team announced they have given Griffin a one-year extension through 2018. Per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal likely brings down the quarterback's base pay for 2017 but gives him a chance to compete for the backup job behind Jameis Winston next season.
Griffin completed four of his nine pass attempts for 57 yards before departing with the injury.
Master P is broadening the roster that’s involved in his new GMGB league, which he co-owns with Tiny, and he’s recruiting a big name in basketball history to join as a head coach. Lisa Leslie is signing on as head coach of the New Orleans Gators, while the No Limit CEO is also grabbing more players for the league.
Isaiah Thomas: ‘I'll Return From My Hip Injury And 'Be The Same Player'
ISAIAH THOMAS
All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas told ESPN that he has made significant progress with his injured hip toward a return in the 2017-18 season and has a message for NBA teams doubting his long-term prognosis.
"I am not damaged," Thomas told ESPN on Tues- day. "I'll be back, and I'll be the same player."
Thomas, a second-team All-NBA player for the Boston Celtics, was included in a trade to Cleveland for four-time All- Star Kyrie Irving on Aug. 22, but uncertainty surrounding his anticipated return to the court has stalled the finalizing of the deal.
Not only is Leslie joining GMGB as a coach for the Gators, but Metta World Peace will be coming onto the team’s roster as a player.
“Coach Leslie’s expertise, history and knowledge of the game will create a champi- onship atmosphere for our team,” Master P says of the signing. “She’s smart, she knows basketball and she’s a
beast on the court. That’s the kind of spirit we need in our Gators organization.”
Along with Metta World Peace, the Louisiana Con- nection, which consists of Big Baby Glen Davis, and Tyrus Thomas, will be joining the New Orleans Gators as players. The three players are all former LSU Tigers and ex-NBA stars.
Cleveland Browns
Release Veteran
Corner Joe Haden
The Cleveland Browns are moving on from Joe Haden. After surveying the trade market for potential partners this week, the team opted to
simply cut their star corner. The Browns made the move official on Wednesday morn-
ing.
"Joe gave everything he
had for the Cleveland Browns and that's all you can ask for as a coach," Hue Jackson said in a statement. "He was a leader on and off the field. I wish him all the best as he continues his career."
Added executive vice presi- dent Sashi Brown: "We want to thank Joe for all he has done for this organization both on and off the field. He has been a great teammate and a true asset to the Cleve- land community. These are very difficult decisions, we have the utmost respect for Joe and in my eyes, he will al- ways be a Cleveland Brown."
Haden, 28, reached the
JOE HADEN
Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014. The 2010 first-round pick signed a six-year, $74.678 million deal in 2014 but has struggled to find consistency in the years since.
Haden has played in just 18 games since 2014, with three interceptions and 13 pass breakups in those two years. If Cleveland was going to make a move, this was the time to do so. As salary-cap tracking site Over The Cap points out, Haden has just $4 million guaranteed on his con- tract for 2017.
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