the worlds best defenders and his qualities, intern

New York coach Bill Laimbeer wants his first-place Liberty to close out the first half of the regular season like theyre in the playoffs, beginning with Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. ET tipoff against the struggling Washington Mystics at Verizon Center.We take every game like a playoff game, Laimbeer told the Libertys website. We scrape out as many wins as possible. We dont blow teams out. We just try to win any way we can, and these games will be no exception.With two games left before the monthlong Olympic break, the Liberty (17-7) sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Atlanta Dream. New York is third in the overall league standings, behind the Los Angeles Sparks and Minnesota Lynx. The top eight teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the postseason.The Mystics (9-13) have lost five straight games and are desperate to turn things around ahead of the break. They are coming off an 80-51 blowout loss at Seattle on Friday and have lost three consecutive meetings with the Liberty, including an 87-76 defeat at home in the first game of the season.New York star Tina Charles scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the season-opening win over the Mystics. Charles now has 13 double-doubles on the season and has emerged as a leading MVP candidate.Washington did not have sparkplug guard Ivory Latta in the loss to New York, but shell play Wednesday against the Liberty. Charles says Latta is a difference-maker for the Mystics.The first go around they didnt have Ivory Latta, Charles said. So I know she poses a threat and holds their unit together.This is the first of back-to-back games for the Liberty before the Olympic break. New York returns to Madison Square Garden on Thursday to host the Indiana Fever.Weve been pushing and grinding for a long time right now, and the ends in sight, Laimbeer said. Back-to-back games unfortunately, but games that we can win, but also playing teams desperate for playoff position.The Mystics close out the first half of the season at home against the Sparks, who own the best record in the WNBA. Steve Howe Dodgers Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Fake Dodgers Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Los Angeles Dodgers Shirts . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. A. J. Pollock Jersey . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. The LPGA announced the creation of the Indy Women in Tech Championship on Tuesday. Slated for September of next year, the $2 million event will be played at Brickyard Crossing, the golf course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.As if the tournaments location werent cool enough, golfer Morgan Pressel got to help promote the new tournament by turning the Brickyard into her own personal driving rannge.ddddddddddddGet it, driving range? Ill stop now. You should probably just check this out.Well that makes for a pretty nice little Tuesday.See something entertaining on social media that you think deserves to be shared? Let me know on Twitter, @darcymaine_espn. ' ' '