s in the second half but the Bulldogs rallied to trail by five, 71-66 on

LONDON -- When it was suggested he has not been his normal self, physically or emotionally, for the last six months, Novak Djokovic bristled.What makes you say that? he replied, indignantly.The question came straight off the bat at his pre-tournament news conference Friday afternoon at the O2 Arena. The four-time defending champion, who kicks off his World Tour Finals Sunday against Dominic Thiem, perhaps felt he should be afforded more respect.Djokovic had been getting used to arriving in -- and leaving -- London as world No. 1; he has finished the year on top of the rankings for four of the last five seasons.He had led Andy Murray by more than 8,000 points after beating the Scot in the French Open final in June, completing not just a career Grand Slam but holding all four major titles at the same time with his 12th overall.His form dramatically tailed off, though. There were shock early exits at Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics, before a US Open final defeat to Stan Wawrinka in New York -- where he had looked out of sorts the whole fortnight, and greatly benefited from three walkovers.After missing Beijing, where he had won 29 straight matches, a semifinal defeat in Shanghai and a quarterfinal exit at the Paris Masters ensured Murray overtook him in the rankings by reaching the final at Bercy last weekend.The mitigating circumstances for his slump? A mixture of injuries, personal problems as he admitted at Flushing Meadows, and a natural drop off after Roland Garros.Im my normal self every day, Djokovic continued Friday. First of all, I was talking about having certain ups and downs that everybody has. Not [being] myself emotionally or physically the last few months is too rough of a statement.I thought I had a good couple of months, maybe not up to the standards of 12 to 15 months before that. In sport you cant always expect to win.The high standard of results and success Ive had the last couple of years probably has taken its toll. I didnt get to recover I guess as fast after the French open, to be ready to compete on the highest level after that.I had to dig deep and take some time to reflect on everything because it was an incredible achievement. It took a little bit of time to get back on track.I played well at the US Open I thought, made the finals, winning Toronto. The injury took me off from the Olympic Games but all in all a very good year that Im proud of. Im here in London to try to crown this year with the best possible result.Djokovics latest run at the summit finally came to an end Monday after 122 weeks -- only Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer have enjoyed longer consecutive streaks at No. 1.It took an incredible run from Murray to reel him in, with victories at Queens Club, Wimbledon, the China Open, Shanghai, Vienna and Paris taking the Scots title count to a personal-best eight for the season.I have only words of praise for what he [Murray] has achieved in the last year or so, added Djokovic. Starting with the clay court season, he was very consistent.He had the best one of his life, playing three finals of three big events and winning one in Rome. He won every event he played on grass including a Grand Slam, and then the Olympics -- hes had an incredible run.Definitely well deserved No. 1 at this point. Hes been the best player of the last six months without a doubt. Whether or not he can sustain it is not a question for me.The qualities he possesses as a player, his determination to the sport, theres a good chance that he can still play in this level for some time.On paper, the Serb should not have too much trouble making the semifinals here -- he is a combined 23-0 against the other three players in his group, Milos Raonic, Gael Monfils and Thiem.Djokovic can reclaim top spot if he goes one better than Murray in London, while there are several other permutations that could see either man crowned year-end No. 1, making for what could be a thrilling finale to the season.But he insists he doesnt need any extra motivation.Even after 10-plus years at a professional level, I still feel I have a lot of gas in my tank, said Djokovic. I feel like I still have a lot more years ahead of me. I feel great joy when I compete, when I play.The power of passion towards the sport is the No. 1 thing that drives me to play, to enjoy to play. This is the game. if you dont enjoy the game, your time on court, everything else becomes two or three, five times more difficult than it is or should be.You do have days when youre feeling maybe less determined to play. Some days you feel it more, but as long as the days that are when youre waking up and feel more positive are there making the majority of those days, then things are going well. Thats the case with me.Practice days make probably 80 percent of our season. Thats where you really need to get that inspiration and drive going on a daily basis, so you can maintain that level of determination and competition at the highest levels, at tournaments like this. Fortunately for me at this stage I dont have that problem,I have plenty of motivation -- it starts from within. My mindset is very positive towards this sport, this life that I have. I have great support of my family, my wife. Its important. Otherwise the things would not be as smooth. As long as its like that, Ill be around.Oshane Ximines Giants Jersey . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Mark Bavaro Youth Jersey .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Carl-Banks-Jersey/ . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Harry Carson Womens Jersey .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Oshane Ximines Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said.MILWAUKEE -- Sam Hauser hit two free throws in the final 12 seconds to help Marquette hold on to take an 84-81 win over Fresno State Tuesday night.Marquette led by as many as 20 points in the second half but the Bulldogs rallied to trail by five, 71-66 on a layup by Terrell Carter II.Cullen Russo tipped in a rebound with 1:03 left to get Fresno State within three, 76-73, and after Hauser knocked down two free throws Paul Watson took a feed from Carter and hit a 3-pointer to makke it 78-76 with 39 seconds left.dddddddddddd Markus Howard padded the Golden Eagles lead with two free throws, but Carter made it a two-point game with a jumper, but the Bulldogs could get no closer.Hauser finished with 19 points to lead the Golden Eagles (7-2), who remain undefeated at home.Carter finished with 21 points to lead Fresno State (5-3). ' ' '