Spam & Fun » With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, almost

There was a moment on Saturday night that seemed to legitimize the status of Vancouver’s soccer culture, while also creating one of the great moments in the Whitecaps MLS history. It wasn’t the reaction to the final whistle, or the appreciation of two huge saves by David Ousted to preserve the win and another clean sheet. It wasn’t even the reception to Kendall Waston’s goal itself. It was the moment just before. Vancouver has always been a savvy soccer market. You can debate why, but going back even before 1974, there seemed to be an appreciation for the game that didn’t exist elsewhere in North America. The Whitecaps of 1979 galvanized that reputation, as did the parade of world class stars that wore the blue and white. Even the later incarnations of pro soccer captured trophies and the appreciation of the city, just not on the same scale. So while sometimes accused of being too polite, or too negative, the 21,000 fans inside BC Place proved en masse what their team, and what the game meant to them. They collectively stood just after Kekuta Manneh electrified them to earn the corner, and just before Pedro Morales delivered the decisive cross. It was as if 21,000 people became one huge human drum roll, with almost a sixth sense for the defining moment that was about to occur. Seventy-Five minutes earlier, their former captain was given one final curtain call, as Jay DeMerit put a public end to his career. A centre-back, who’s own defining moment as a player might have been the 2006 Premier League Promotion final at Cardiff’s Millennium stadium, when he nodded home the game winner past Leeds United, from an Ashley Young corner. He’ll never pay for a drink in a Hornets bar ever again. For supporters of Watford, it was a monumental goal, and a multi-million dollar moment for a club that always seemed to straddle the line between the top two divisions. How appropriate then, that the centre back who ultimately replaced DeMerit in Vancouver, would leap up and connect with a cross, that had been rehearsed over and over in training the day before. Kendall Waston was already gaining cult status before ... but Saturday’s goal, which earned the Whitecaps an MLS Cup lottery ticket, could mean so much more for the player and his new team. The supporters asked, the team answered - a wonderful moment in human synergy. The kind that creates history and defines what a club really is - a maker of memories and the provider of hope for more. Because of the single entity structure of MLS, and the fact that the league is only 18 years old, there exists a certain snobbery about the circuit’s history and credibility in the global context. But even the world’s most storied, and oldest clubs had to start the same way, with folkloric heros and legendary moments. Caps fans probably weren’t thinking about that as Waston raced to the corner flag with an unorthodox, beautifully raw, non-premeditated celebration. Whether they were long time season ticket holders from the 70’s, or there for the first time, an entire building was galvanized into one buzzing bee hive of emotion, elation and joy ... not to mention, relief. Imagine what it would mean to everyone associated with the club, if the players could offer up one more such occasion this season. Jody Davis Jersey .com) - Jimmy Butler made four key free throws down the stretch to lift the Chicago Bulls over the Boston Celtics, 109-102, on Friday. Bill Buckner Jersey . -- The Guelph Storm are moving on to the Western Conference final after defeating the London Knights 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action. https://www.cheapcubs.com/2990t-billy-williams-jersey-cubs.html . Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers were left fretting over an MRI on the stars left knee. Paul George scored 21 points, Roy Hibbert added 19 and the Pacers used a dominant fourth quarter to blow out the Cavaliers 91-76 on Tuesday The Pacers (25-5) have won eight in a row over Cleveland, their longest active streak against any opponent. Moises Alou Jersey . Geovany Soto had an RBI for the Cubs. Carlos Silva gave up one run on three hits over six innings to pick up the win. Josh Willingham drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who had just four hits. Ron Santo Cubs Jersey . Having won the first leg 1-0 in Barcelona, Madrid entered the match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium already in control and quickly sealed its place in the semifinals when Jese Rodriguez scored in the seventh minute.The Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in acquiring four-time all-star Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics. According to a report by Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, the Raptors have been involved in talks with multiple teams, including the Celtics about their point guard. With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, almost every player on the Celtics roster is believed to be available for the right price. According to Bull.coms Sam Smith, the asking price for Rondo is believed to be two unprotected first rounders. A source told the Sun that the asking price is a combination of at least one lottery pick and talented young player.&nbbsp;The 27-year-old Rondo tore his ACL just over a year ago and played only 10 games this season.dddddddddddd Last year, the Louisville, KY native averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 11.1 assists and 1.84 steals in 37.4 minutes per game, appearing in only 38 games due to the knee injury. Rondo, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2015 season, will earn $12.9 million in the final year of his contract. Rondo was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (21st overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft. The Suns then traded Brian Grant and the rights to Rondo to the Celtics for a future first-round selection. ' ' '