Sydney Kings star import Steve Blake says the NBL ball has been partly to blame for the shooting slump that has critics questioning his move to Australia.The former NBA guard has struggled offensively through his first four games in the royal purple, shooting just 26 percent from the field and an even lower 18 from long range.The 36-year-old admits he hasnt been at his best so far, but he is enjoying being a part of the ladder-leading Kings resurgence as an NBL force.Its been quite a good experience in some respects and tough in others, he said.Personally my basketball hasnt been at its best. Im struggling shooting the ball but I know there was going to be an adjustment period as far as that goes.But the teams been having a lot of success which has been a lot of fun. Its been a great group of guys and great coaches. Ive enjoyed that team atmosphere and winning basketball.An NBA veteran of over 14 years across eight different franchises, including two stints at the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers, Blake said getting used to the NBL ball was a major issue.The Australian league uses a 100 percent composite leather Wilson ball, while the American association uses a full-grain leather Spalding ball.If you could hold an NBA ball to this ball, youd be like, Wow thats a huge difference, he said.NBA balls are true leather thats a lot smoother and a bit harder, maybe feels a little bit heavier, whereas this ball is really spongy and has a really different feel.For 13 years, thats all Ive practised with; an NBA ball. Its an adjustment period, but its also me missing shots. Id love to blame everything on the ball but some of it has to do with me.Coach Andrew Gaze praised Blake for contributing on the boards and defensively, and he remained confident his big-name recruit would begin converting his shots.Hed been working out and hes in great shape but hasnt been playing in a team environment since the end of the last NBA season, Gaze said.It takes a little while to get your legs underneath you, new guys, different officiating rules, rules of the game, all those things come into play.But hes settling in and I see no problems with him. He starts making some of those shots and thats an absolute bonus for us, which he clearly has the capacity to do.The Kings continue their season with a blockbuster against Perth on Thursday night. Marcus Cannon Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Danny Shelton Jersey . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . http://www.patriotsauthenticshop.com/Patriots-Eric-Rowe-Draft-Jersey/ . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Tedy Bruschi Jersey .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. Chris Hogan Jersey . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. MIAMI -- Its been a long time since the New York Knicks were in this position.More than three years, to be precise.Carmelo Anthony matched a season high with 35 points, and the Knicks took advantage of second chances all night to beat the injury-ravaged Miami Heat 114-103 on Tuesday night. At 12-9, New York is three games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2012-13 season.Any time you can put together some wins you feel confident, you feel comfortable, you feel like youre heading in the right direction, and I really feel were doing that, Anthony said. Were heading in the right direction.Kristaps Porzingis had 14 points and 12 rebounds for New York, which has won four straight. The Knicks lost Derrick Rose to back spasms in the third quarter, but still scored 61 points after halftime.We just came out in the second half knowing that we have to win the game and that we have to play better, Porzingis said.Goran Dragic scored 29 points and Hassan Whiteside finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, who fell to 2-8 at home. New York had a 31-13 edge in second-chance points, and outscored Miami 56-36 in the paint.Sometimes the ball goes that way, Whiteside said.The teams were tied at 68 late in the third quarter, when the Knicks went on a 27-13 run over the next eight minutes to take control. Anthony finished 13 for 27 from the field, and Porzingis and Joakim Noah combined for 22 rebounds.The Heat had nine players, and might not have any more than that until next week. Justise Winslow missed his 12th consecutive game with a sore left wrist, and James Johnson (right rotator cuff), Dion Waiters (groin), Luke Babbitt (right hip) and Josh Richardson (right ankle) were also sidelined.None are slated to travel for Miamis three-game, four-day stretch that starts Wednesday in Atlanta.dddddddddddd. The Heat are leaving some staff in Miami to work with the injured players.Theyre getting way more work in than they would get on the road, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.TIP-INSKnicks: Coach Jeff Hornacek is now 1-5 against Miami. Hes beaten every team hes faced, and has yet to coach against his former Phoenix club. ... The Knicks missed their first 11 3-point tries, then made 7 of their last 14. ... New York is over .500 this late in a season for the third time in 12 years. ... Not a good sign for Wednesday, when Cleveland visits the Knicks: New York is 0-4 on the second night of back-to-backs this season.Heat: It was Dragics highest-scoring total as a member of the Heat. ... Whiteside has led the Heat in rebounds in all 21 games this season. ... Miami struggled again from the line, shooting 16 for 27.ON PHILSpoelstra was asked to respond to Knicks President Phil Jacksons comments last month about the way the Heat had to handle LeBron James when he played in Miami. Spoelstra laughed it off. I honestly just think he gets bored and likes to throw stuff out there to get everybody all fired up, Spoelstra said. James and the Cavaliers visit Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.TALL ORDERHilarity briefly ensued in the second quarter when the 7-foot-3 Porzingis had a jump ball against Miamis Tyler Johnson, who might be generously listed at 6-foot-4. Shocking: Porzingis won the tap.UP NEXTKnicks: Host Cleveland on Wednesday, preceding a five-game West Coast trip.Heat: Visit Atlanta on Wednesday, followed by visits to Cleveland and Chicago. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '