Clanregeln » also opening a request for proposals for a poss

LAS VEGAS -- Chris Paul has already seemingly done the impossible by turning the long-languishing Los Angeles Clippers into a force in the Western Conference. Now hes taken on another big task -- rebuilding the reeling NBA players association. Paul was elected president of the players union Wednesday, replacing Derek Fisher and giving an organization cloaked in turmoil some much-needed star power at the top. The vote by NBA player representatives came six months after the union fired Billy Hunter as executive director, a position that remains vacant and follows about 18 months of in-fighting and drama that occurred during the negotiations for the latest collective bargaining agreement. Hunter countered with a wrongful-termination lawsuit in May, accusing Fisher of conspiring with NBA officials during the 2011 lockout. "Its not about me as president or the first vice-president, its about the players as a whole," Paul said in a conference call Wednesday night. One of Pauls greatest gifts on the court is an ability to get everyone involved and make his teammates better. Now hell try to do the same thing with the union. After the lockout ended and the lawsuits started to take hold, there was a feeling among many players and observers that putting a big name in the big chair would help galvanize the group and get star players interested in participating again. That once was commonplace, with marquee players Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Alex English and Isiah Thomas all serving as union presidents. But Paul, a six-time All-Star who is widely regarded as the best point guard in the league, is the first big star to hold the top spot since Patrick Ewings run ended in 2001. Role players Michael Curry, Antonio Davis and Fisher, who had been in charge since 2006, followed Ewing. "That wasnt a requirement, but I think it gives us a little more oomph, I guess, having somebody like him wanting to step up and take on that role," Charlotte Bobcats forward Anthony Tolliver said in a phone interview. "It means a lot." Paul served as a vice-president for the last four years, so he has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the union, and the trouble that engulfed it recently. "It was something I saw as a challenge, something I knew Id be able to handle," Paul said. "Its an unbelievable opportunity, a lot of responsibility comes with this position but Im very fortunate to have an outstanding of committee guys. The past couple of days have been outstanding, the dialogue weve had as an executive committee also with the players that have come in town, it was amazing." The decision to appoint a new executive director to replace Hunter will come at a later date. "We definitely discussed (hiring an executive director), but theres no rush," Paul said. "For us, its all about getting our house in order and making sure that everything moves right in that direction." In meetings at the Venetian Hotel, Roger Mason Jr. was elected first vice-president. He replaced Jerry Stackhouse, who resigned from the office and is expected to take a position within the union. There are several issues that the league has been waiting to discuss with the union while they searched for new leadership, most notably the possible implementation of testing for HGH. Commissioner David Stern, who is retiring in February and handing the reins over to deputy commissioner Adam Silver, has said multiple times this summer that testing for HGH was a priority. "Chris is an All-Star player and person and we look forward to working with him," Silver said in a statement. Tolliver, who has long been one of the most devoted player representatives in the league, and Steve Blake were elected vice-presidents, filling the executive committee positions vacated by Paul and Mason. "This is not a position thats about me or one person," Paul said. "Its about the collective group and the players and I think from my experience ... its about growing the game and expanding our brand and continue to get our players involved as we can and make sure our voice is heard. The guys here just understand its our union, theres no one person that is bigger than the group." Paul said the union needed a "rebuild," and he was looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. Tolliver agreed, saying it was time for a "fresh start" after a messy time in the unions history. "We want to make sure that nothing remotely close that has gone on in the union in the past 12 months or so will ever happen again," Tolliver said. "Its a huge job. Its a huge responsibility. Im glad to be a part of that." Pauls ascension could pave the way for more involvement from the biggest names in the game. LeBron James considered running for the job before deciding against it, and Paul is an All-NBA first team player who has been tight with James for years. "Since Ive been in the NBA the superstars have come to a few meetings here and there, every once in a while, but not very often," Tolliver said. "The fact that (James) even considered doing that lets me know that hes going to be more involved in the future. ... Especially him being the face of our game, we want to have him involved as much as possible. Not only him, we want all the guys that carry our brand to be a part of this." Air Jordan 11 Wholesale .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Buy Air Jordan 11 Cheap . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. http://www.cheapairjordan11china.com/ . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Cheap Air Jordan 11 From China . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Air Jordan 11 For Sale Cheap .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. RENTON, Wash. -- Russell Wilson believes joining an investment group looking to build a new NBA/NHL arena in Seattle is the first step toward his goal of eventually owning a piece of a professional sports franchise.The Seattle Seahawks quarterback talked at length Thursday about joining Chris Hansen in the attempt to get a new arena constructed in Seattles stadium district.He spoke for nearly 10 minutes before addressing a single football-related question as his involvement in the project has drawn nearly as much interest as his production on the field.Its one of those things that we need to make it happen, just because its a special thing. It will be for years and years to come, Wilson said. I want my kids to have that opportunity. Nothing better than going to an NBA basketball game and being able to see basketball players -- NHL game, theres so many great athletes. Theres so many other great things you can do in the new facility, too, as well. I think that will be really special.Wilson announced he was joining Hansens investment group on Monday. He said hes known Hansen for a couple of years and the timing was right for Wilson to formally join.It certainly doesnt hurt that Wilson signed a contract extension worth up to $87 million before the 2015 season, giving him the financial clout to be an investor. And his name gives an instant and significant public relations boost to a project that has faced road blocks from political figures.Ive been really authentic about wanting to own a team one day and being a part of something really special and doing that and even though Im young and that I definitely have a business mindset and I wantt to be able to help people and give back and help change this community, continue to change this community for the better, Wilson said.ddddddddddddHansen last month announced his intention to privately finance the proposed project in exchange for tax breaks. The offer would erase the public investment that was part of the original 2012 memorandum of understanding between Hansen and the city.The city has acknowledged Hansens intent while also opening a request for proposals for a possible renovation of KeyArena, the former home of the SuperSonics. The proposals are due in 2017.Wilson said the important task now is getting city approval to close down a street near where the proposed arena would be constructed. Wilson said he would lobby city officials if asked to try to build support for the project. He acknowledged the investment in the arena is the first step to someday having an ownership stake in a franchise.Those guys knew that I really wanted to be a part of owning a team one day. And obviously I cant own a team until we have a team. I cant be a part of that, Wilson said. So like I said, the first step was the arena part. And thats our focus right now. And then once we have an arena, then the goal is to obviously own a basketball team as part of it and have great people, great individuals, a great organization that helps change peoples lives, do great things in the community and hopefully win a lot of championships, too.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '