TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the return of Stephen Jackson, the play of Goran Dragic and the surprising Suns, the impact of Brook Lopez and Deron Williams with the Nets, Danny Grangers impending return in Indiana and the key to the Spurs success. 1. STEPHEN JACKSON (Clippers): He departed the Spurs last year under cloudy circumstances yet, in the right situation in certain seasons, he has proven to be both a valuable and very productive/winning player. In my book, worth the risk. With JJ Redick out of the lineup right now, you need offensive firepower and shooting and if hes right, he can bring both. Hes played on good teams and made those teams better. Most importantly, you need a leader/coach that he respects and will hold him accountable. Doc Rivers is that guy. If Jackson wants back in the NBA, hes got the chance now yet hell be expected to do it right and this environment is a good returning spot for him. 2. GORAN DRAGIC (Suns): Did you check out his performance vs. the Lakers Tuesday night? 31 pts and five assists. He ate them up; they couldnt guard him. Hes a crafty guy who is very adept at changing speeds and turning the corner and getting into the lane on you and does a wonderful job keeping his dribble alive to make plays. High energy guy who is always fun to watch. The Suns are 12-9. If the season ended today, theyd be in the playoffs - in the West! No, not the East, the West! Amazing!! 3. BROOK LOPEZ and DERON WILLIAMS (Nets): Amazing what good players can do for you (combined for 49 points on 20-29 shooting vs. Boston). Jason Kidd looks a whole lot more capable when he has these two guys in his lineup. Also nice to have Paul Pierce back on the court. Bottom line, in the weak Atlantic Division/Eastern Conference, as bad as things have been for the Nets with injuries/drama/expectations, if they can get and stay healthy, theyll be a playoff team. And if the chemistry were to ever come around, they could be a pretty dangerous team to play against in an early-round series. 4. DANNY GRANGER (Pacers): Has only played in five games over the past two seasons for a team that has become one of the elite 3-5 teams in the NBA. Hoping to return this weekend. Hes always been a lead actor in Indy. Paul George is that guy now. Can his ego stay in check and is he willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to help his team in whatever role his coaches devise for him? He can be a huge plus for them if hes willing to do what it takes. Obviously, sitting on the bench and watching his team be one of the best in the league has to humble you a bit yet make you hungry to get out there and do what it takes to be that finishing piece to help your team win a title. His presence on the floor will define how the Pacers chemistry evolves from here. If hes right mentally, they can become really dangerous on every level as a title contender. His scoring ability will make their depth even more of a strength. 5. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: An amazing series of facts about this team were pointed out to me by a few folks Tuesday night. Yes, we all know they have a Hall of Famer/franchise #1 pick in Tim Duncan. Some of the other pieces on the floor in Toronto Tuesday night vs. the Raptors include six second round picks, an undrafted player, a 30th Pick and two 28th picks. Remember what I said a few weeks back about the draft pedigree of the Indiana Pacers, sure you need a really good player but beyond that you MUST have GREAT leadership in the coaching area and the scouting/player evaluation and projection component. Its no secret that the Spurs define that and its a shame more franchises dont stay disciplined and use that model. Many swing for the fences with name guys that dont win for you. In a world of tank nation talk (I respect that you must have elite talent to win), it still comes down to the substance of what you put around an elite player that defines success. Too often, we look for the glitzy big name and reach for the bright lights and the style. In the end, it comes down to so many pieces meshing in an operation and it all comes back to the leadership of your owner, president, GM and coach. You get a good horse with a lousy jockey and hell underperform. Yes, youve got to have the horses, yet you better have the right folks leading the way. It all goes together. Michael Gallup Jersey . Raonic, the mens No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., needed more than three hours to overcome Frenchman Gilles Simon 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 and become the first Canadian man into the fourth round at Roland Garros. Jamize Olawale Jersey . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. http://www.cowboysrookieshop.com/Deonte-Thompson-Cowboys-Jersey/ . -- Michael Bennett gambled last off-season that playing on a one-year deal in Seattle would pay off in the future with the long-term contract he always wanted. Chidobe Awuzie Cowboys Jersey . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. Connor Williams Jersey . Burris threw for 247 yards in one half of a game -- on pace for a nearly 500-yard outing -- as the Redblacks downed the woeful Montreal Alouettes 26-10 in CFL pre-season play Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium.Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves officially named Flip Saunders as the franchises new head coach on Friday. Saunders served as the Timberwolves bench boss for parts of 10 seasons from 1995-2005 and oversaw the most successful era of the franchises history, highlighted by trip to the Western Conference finals following a franchise- best 58-24 regular-season record in 2003-04. "After an exhaustive process and several thorough discussions with Flip, we came to the conclusion that he was the stabilizing force needed to lead our team," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "Flip led us to our most successful seasons; he knows what it takes to win in the NBA as his track record speaks for itself." After struggling to a 25-26 record to start the 2004-05 season, the Timberwolves decided to dismiss Saunders, who returned to the organization in May 2013 as president of basketball operations. He also took a minority ownership stake in thhe team.dddddddddddd "In talking to Glen, we came to the decision that this outcome would be the best for our franchise," said Saunders, who will continue to serve as the teams president of basketball operations. "I will work tirelessly to bring back the success our franchise experienced in the late 90s to early 2000s. To that end, I will assemble a diverse, experienced coaching staff that will bring out the best in our players." Saunders also spent time as head coach of the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards before his return to the Twin Cities. He has a record of 638-526 in parts of 16 seasons, including 411-326 with the Wolves. He replaces the retired Rick Adelman, who spent three seasons with the Wolves and 23 years as a head coach in the NBA. Adelman guided Minnesota to a record of 97-133, including 40-42 this past season. The Wolves missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year, but the 40 wins were the clubs most since a 44-38 mark in 2004-05. [ur