INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers couldnt keep waiting around for Lance Stephenson to make up his mind. So on Friday, they went to work. The two-time Eastern Conference runner-ups announced they had signed three free agents -- backup big man Lavoy Allen, swingman C.J. Miles and Damjan Rudez, a sharp-shooting forward from Europe. Coach Frank Vogel hopes all that is just a precursor to re-signing Stephenson, who led the NBA with five triple-doubles last season. "Its a process. The ball is in his court," Vogel said. "Its a waiting game until we see how some of the other dominoes fall." Indiana has offered Stephenson a five-year deal worth $44 million, but the shooting guard believed that he could land a more lucrative deal when some of the biggest names available in free agency -- LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- decided where to play. James decision to return to Cleveland may finally break the free-agent logjam, and give Stephenson more leverage to get a bigger contract. While Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird and Vogel have made it clear they would like Stephenson back, they also realize that the Pacers must find more scoring punch -- with or without Stephenson -- after the Heat eliminated Indiana in the playoffs each of the past three years. James will now be with Central Division rival Cleveland, too. Bird, who is trying to stay under the luxury tax, got creative. By signing Miles to a four-year deal worth $18 million, the Pacers get a 6-foot-6, 210-pound experienced swingman. He averaged 10.6 points and 2.4 rebounds over the past two seasons in Cleveland and made quite an impression on Vogel during one big-time shooting performance during the 2013-14 season. "After that happened, he (Vogel) stopped by and we were chatting and he said everybody is going to become C.J. whoever was on that team. C.J. Smith or C.J. Johnson or whoever," Miles said, laughing. "He told me that was pretty much the way it was the rest of that season (at practice)." Getting Miles also gives the Pacers a potential Plan B if Stephenson leaves. "Hopefully, Lance returns, but C.J. has proven he can start if he doesnt," Vogel said. Rudez thought he was going to get drafted six years ago after working out for several NBA teams. When his name wasnt called, the 6-10, 200-pound forward returned to Europe to improve his shooting skills. Over the past two seasons, the Croatian played well enough in Spain to draw attention from the Cavaliers and the Pacers. Bird called Rudez "one of the best shooters in Europe" after signing him to a three-year deal. Even Rudez knew the Pacers were looking for shooters. "Id heard that and thats reason they came after me," he said. "Im hoping my transition goes pretty quickly." Indiana acquired Allen in a trade deadline deal with Philadelphia in February, but the 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward played sparingly after the move. The Pacers brought Allen back for the league minimum, shoring up their inside game with another strong defender. That leaves just one big question for the Pacers: Will Stephenson be back to help last seasons No. 1 seed in the East complete the push to the NBA Finals? "He knows we want him very, very badly," Vogel said. "Hopefully, well find a way to get it done." Fake Air Max 90 For Sale .com) - Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is set to return Tuesday against Nashville after sitting out the past two games because of a minor upper body injury. Cheap Air Max 90 Black . Weise left the arena with a splint on his wrist and underwent tests to determine whether the tendon is torn. Winger Travis Moen will also miss some time after suffering a concussion in Mondays contest. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outle...mens-cheap.html. Showing more spark after not taking enough challenging shots on goal in their 1-0 loss Friday night, the Bruins had 18 shots in the first period after managing just 25 in the entire opener. Luke Glendening cut Bostons lead to 2-1 at 13:20 of the second period before Milan Lucic scored late in the second and Zdeno Chara added a power-play goal early in the third. Off White X Air Max 90 Ice White . "Im excited just for a new start, just to see where things are going, to bring some kind of tradition back to the team and guys being excited about something new," the defensive back said during a conference call Monday after agreeing to stay with the Bombers rather than go to free agency next month. Cheap Air Max 90 White . The New York Rangers centre had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators ending a 13-game goal-scoring drought.2. I know pre-season games can be dull, but if theres a CFL team that votes mostly “yes” on the CBA deal, and one that votes mostly “no”, wouldnt you like to see that exhibition game? 3. It was only for fun when the San Diego Padres drafted Johnny Manziel, wasnt it? I need to be convinced, because its possible anyone drafted by the Padres might actually be able to help them. 4. Once upon a time, the NHL disallowed goals that were scored when a member of the attacking team was in the crease. Would it be too ridiculously simple and logical to suggest that the NHL should do itself a favour and revert to that rule? 5. The Blue Jays interleague series against St. Louis produced three things I didnt expect to see - a triple play, a Blue Jays shutout loss, and another Blue Jays shutout loss. You thought a warm, sunny afternoon was going to be one of them, didnt you? 6. Do you feel sorrier for California Chrome because he didnt win the Triple Crown or because he has Steve Coburn for an owner? 7. If Pinehurst No. 2, the site of the US Open, is such a marvelous test of golf and one of the most famous courses in the world, why do you think it isnt called Pinehurst No. 1? 8. How many bobbleheads do you own? (“None” is a lie. “One” is the understandable truth, because owning one is the reason not to own more than one). 9. When former UCLA basketball star Ed OBannon said in his court testimony that he was an athlete “masquerading” as a student, attending classes only when necessary to maintain his eligibility, how many others nodded and said “Me, too”? 10. Phil Jackson expresses no interest in coaching the New York Knicks, but when he tries to hire Steve Kerr as his coach and then selects Derek Fisher, who, like Kerr, is without coaching experience, dont you think Jackson wants to coach….sort of? 11. Donald Sterling? (Yup, thats the question—Donald Sterling?) 12. Colin Kaepernick rates #1 among NFL quarterbacks in just one category—most moneey guaranteed over the duration of his contract--$61 million.dddddddddddd. Shouldnt he have to be #1 in things like passing yards or completion percentage to be due that kind of money? 13. Maria Sharapova reacted with stunned amazement following her winning point at the French Open. Didnt she realize there were only two possible winners and she was one of them? 14. The NFL has decided that its 50th Super Bowl, in February of 2016, will not be identified by the Roman numeral “L”. Apparently, Super Bowl L just wouldnt look or sound right. But its back to the ancient alphabet for Super Bowl 51, or rather, Super Bowl LI. What the “L”? 15. If youve always wanted to visit Brazil, would you want to go now? And if youve always wanted to attend soccers World Cup, would you want to attend this one in Brazil? 16. Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon tried to change his teams luck by inviting a Seminole medicine man to Tropicana Field. The Rays lost 3-0. To those who believe a manager can do little to change the outcome of a game, I ask you: How do you feel about medicine men? 17. Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon has created a buzz by saying hell take offers for the number-one draft pick. Isnt that the same as saying “Were always interested in trying to improve our club”? 18. If Coors Field was the reason the Colorado Rockies scored so many runs earlier in the season, then Coors Field is in a slump, dont you think? 19. To surpass Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal needs four more Grand Slam titles for a total of 18. To tie Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods needs four more major victories for a total of 18. Id ask which one gets to 18 first, but isnt it obvious? 20. What do you say we watch the World Cup by cheering for Australia and imagining its Canada? The Aussies wont win, but theyll have fu, and thats how itll be next time, if there is a next time, for Canada. So to cheer on “our boys”, I present the song and group that will always say “Australia” to me: ' ' '