WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017 SPORTS Aussie young gun Smith has major promise: Coach

MELBOURNE: Cameron Smith underlined would have hardly mattered for him, sug- his enormous promise with his break- gested Field, describing a player who never through win at the Zurich Classic of New gets too down on himself and tends to Orleans team event and the Australian tyro leave the game on the course when he has the all-round game for major success, steps off it. according to his long-time coach Grant Smith is also unlikely to be too fazed by Field. The 23-year-old’s triumph in a playoff any extra attention as he makes his way with Swedish partner Jonas Blixt at TPC through the rest of the season. “It doesn’t Louisiana on Monday put him in esteemed bother him too much. His nature is to go company in his native Australia. Only Jason about his business,” said Field. “He doesn’t go Day and Adam Scott have claimed a US for the limelight. He doesn’t sort of go chas- Tour event at a younger age among ing stardom as such. Anything that comes Smith’s compatriots. his way, he will have earned. “Over time we Both Day and Scott have gone on to win will see what happens. At the moment majors and claim the world number one we’ve just got to enjoy where he’s at.” ranking since their breakthroughs in Smith turned professional in 2013 and it America and a number of pundits feel wasn’t long before he made a splash, grab- Brisbane-born Smith could be cut from the bing a top 10 finish in his first US Tour event same cloth. Although reluctant to put too at the co-sanctioned CIMB Classic in Kuala much pressure on his charge, Field, who has Lumpur in 2014. He raised eyebrows with worked with Smith since he was 11 years his finish at the 2015 US Open, smashing a old, feels the high expectations are justified. three-wood from the fairway of the par-five “I don’t think he has a real weakness,” the 18th at Chamber Bay to within inches of Gold Coast-based coach told Reuters in an the hole. The tap-in eagle put him into a tie interview on Tuesday. “There’s nothing in his for fourth and gave him his first taste of the game that really lets him down. “Especially, US Masters last year, where he made the he has an amazing short game which was cut but struggled on the weekend. evident over the last few days as well. Smith has not qualified for next month’s “When things get tough (at the majors) you US Open but Monday’s win secured him a need to rely on that and it’s a huge skill for spot in next week’s prestigious Players him to have. “It’s also his attitude and belief Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, in his abilities is second to none. All those a short drive from the Australian’s home combined, who knows what that will entail base at Jacksonville Beach. Another big in the future.” The finish at TPC Louisiana stage looms with his debut British Open at PITTSBURGH: ’ (87) lies on the ice after taking a hit from ’ Matt Niskanen during the first was delayed due to a long thunderstorm, Royal Birkdale in July, which was sealed by period of Game 3 in an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey game against the Washington Capitals. — AP leaving Smith and Blixt to battle the a joint runnerup finish behind fellow 23- American duo of Kevin Kisner and Scott year-old Jordan Spieth at the Australian Brown in a long, tense playoff on Monday. Open in November. Shattenkirk nets OT winner Having honed his game on some rustic OVERWHELMED Queensland golf courses when growing up, On the fourth extra hole, Smith stuck his Smith should have no major bother with approach to inside three feet at the par-five the vagaries of links golf, Field said. “They’re for Capitals as Crosby exits 18th and calmly tapped in. Having kept a not the most manicured and perfect golf check on his emotions during the tense courses (here)... You’ve got to learn to deal PITTSBURGH: A shot from the point by Washington’s Marc-Andre Fleury’s blocker to send his team- next thing is watching how deliberate it was when final holes, an overwhelmed Smith was with different situations and create differ- Kevin Shattenkirk salvaged - or at the very least, mates pouring over the boards in celebration. the guy cross-checks him in the face,” Pittsburgh speechless during a TV interview by the ent shots. “He’s learnt a lot of that in extended - his team’s NHL season. A far different kind “Tonight was a great test for all of us,” said forward Chris Kunitz said. “I thought all of that was green, eventually mumbling: “I can’t even Queensland and playing in the wind (here) of shot may end up determining the outcome of a Shattenkirk, who played miserably during a kind of out of this league, but I guess not.” talk, I’m sorry.” Had he missed the putt, it will serve him well.” — AP playoff series growing more contentious by the shift. blowout loss in Game 2. “There were a lot of dif- This wasn’t the first time Crosby took an ugly Shattenkirk’s 3:13 into overtime lifted the ferent moments in the game where we had to shot to the head from a Capital. Crosby was in the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh see what we were made of.” middle of an MVP run on Jan, 1, 2011, when he Penguins to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 2-1 in the took an elbow to the head from Washington’s Eastern Conference semifinal, one that could go on FRIGHTENING MOMENT David Steckel during the Winter Classic, leading to without Penguins star Sidney Crosby. The One frightening moment, however, will res- a concussion that cost Crosby the better part of Pittsburgh captain left just over 5 minutes into the onate above all others. The game was scoreless two years in his prime as he struggled to recover. game after getting cross-checked to the head by early in the first period when Crosby skated just Their captain gone for the rest of the game and Washington’s Matt Niskanen. The NHL’s leading outside the Capitals’ crease. Washington’s Alex perhaps longer, the Penguins appeared momen- scorer and one of the game’s best players did not Ovechkin slashed Crosby along the upper body tarily dazed as they tried to regroup. return and his status for Wednesday’s Game 4 - and and Crosby slid awkwardly trying to maintain his Washington took a 2-0 lead early in the third maybe the rest of the postseason - is uncertain. balance when he collided with Niskanen, who period behind goals by Nicklas Backstrom and “Certainly didn’t mean to injure him,” said had his stick raised. The stick caught Crosby flush Evgeny Kuznetzov, rare moments of flow during a Niskanen, who spent four years with Crosby in across the mouth and the two-time Hart Trophy static and occasionally ugly three periods that tried Pittsburgh before signing with Washington in winner laid on the ice in pain for several to make up in physicality what it lacked in pace of 2014. “It’s an unfortunate play that happened moments before slowly skating off under his the frenetic opening two games in Washington. really quick.” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said own power as Pittsburgh trainers searched the Braden Holtby, yanked after a sloppy second peri- Crosby will be evaluated today. Even without area for Crosby’s teeth. od in Game 2, remained steady during Pittsburgh’s Crosby, Pittsburgh pushed Washington to the Niskanen earned a major for cross- second-period surge and the Capitals appeared to limit. With Washington leading 2-0 and less than checking and was given a game misconduct. be in control when the Penguins pulled Fleury with 2 minutes left in regulation time, Evgeni Malkin Washington coach Barry Trotz called it “a hockey 3 minutes to go. Then Malkin scored with 1:53 and Justin Schultz scored in a 48-second span to play.” Niskanen allowed it looked “really bad” remaining and Schultz tied it 48 seconds later force overtime. when he caught the replay, but stressed there when his blast from the point deflected off Capitals For once Washington, whose history is lit- was no malicious intent. His former teammates forward T.J. Oshie. No matter. Washington domi- tered with playoff collapses, dominated the weren’t buying it. “It’s one of those things you look nated the extra period before Shattenkirk deliv- extra period before Shattenkirk’s flip zipped by at it once, you see what actually happened and the ered his first goal of the playoffs. Bengals’ Jeremy Hill ready for competition from Joe Mixon

Cameron Smith CINCINNATI: Minutes before the Bengals raised They might even cost some Bengals their some eyebrows by taking running back Joe jobs. Mixon is expected to push Hill and Bernard Mixon in the second round of the draft, Jeremy for playing time right from the outset. The No 3 Hill tweeted a link to a television interview about back last season was Rex Burkhead, who left for Clippers facing the possibility of getting company in the back- New England as a free agent. Burkhead carried field this year. “Bring ‘em all on,” Hill says in the only six times in the first 10 games, before interview . “They want to draft a back high, go Bernard’s injury created a role for him. big changes ahead and do it. They’re probably going to be Mixon is expected to have a much more LOS ANGELES: Together for six years GRIFFIN & PAUL my backup.” expansive role from the start, assuming he picks now, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have yet They can choose to exercise the ear- The Bengals did it, taking Mixon with the up the offense quickly. Coach Marvin Lewis said to make it past the second round of the ly termination options on their con- 48th overall pick. And now Hill is placed in the a lot of the draft picks will be competing for playoffs. In fact, the Los Angeles Clippers tracts and become free agents. By position of welcoming the newcomer, backing roles right away. “It is a lot of competition, and haven’t even advanced past the first doing so, they could still sign richer up his own words and keeping his job. “Last year hopefully it opens some eyes,” Lewis said. “It’s round two years running. And that’s not long-term deals to stay in L.A. Griffin wasn’t what we wanted, so starting upstairs we good, because no place should be guaranteed.” the worst of it. has missed portions of the last two made a statement, bringing guys in to compete After the Bengals drafted Mixon, Hill reached The Clippers are the first team in NBA postseasons with injuries, and every day,” Hill said Monday after one of the out by phone to welcome him. Besides both being history to blow a series lead in five con- although he’s only 28, Ballmer will sure- team’s offseason workouts. “We need to get back drafted in the second round, both came with secutive playoff appearances. “Once ly ponder whether he wants to contin- to that playoff standard because that’s the talent questions about their character before the draft. again, we’re done,” a dejected Paul said. ue focusing his franchise around such we have in our locker room.” CINCINNATI: Cincinnati Bengals second-round Hill had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery “Too many times.” Their latest failure an injury-prone player. The offense slipped significantly last season, draft pick Joe Mixon speaks during a news con- for punching a man outside a bar. He wrote every came Sunday, a 104-91 loss in Game 7 at Paul carried the Clippers through unable to do anything consistently. The offensive ference at Paul Brown Stadium. — AP NFL team a note about himself leading up to the home against the Utah Jazz. After six the first six games against the Jazz line’s struggles contributed to the overall prob- 2014 draft, and the Bengals decided to take a lems, and Cincinnati’s top lineman - left tackle SPEEDY RECEIVER chance on him. Hill can relate to the backlash that closely contested games decided by an before they shut him down with 13 The Bengals (6-9-1) drafted speedy receiver average of 5.1 points, the Clippers turned points in Game 7. He turns 32 on Andrew Whitworth and right guard Kevin Zeitler Mixon faces as he starts his career. A local televi- - left as free agents after the season. The Bengals John Ross in the first round and Mixon in the sion station posted an editorial on Saturday saying in a flat effort with their season - and per- Saturday and while he is still an All-Star, second, even though the running back had been haps future - at stake. Ballmer must consider whether to com- took Hill in the second round in 2014 - the 55th it was “disgraceful” that the Bengals drafted Mixon. overall pick - hoping they’d found a power run- suspended one season at Oklahoma for punch- “I’ve had my share of dealing with that my whole They fought all season to earn home- mit bigger bucks over several years to ing a woman in the face. The offense will have a court advantage only to lose three of four Paul. Or Griffin and Paul could decide ner. He failed to reach 1,000 yards in each of his career,” Hill said. “It’s really easy to block out. It’s all last two seasons, averaging 3.6 and 3.8 yards per very different look this time around. “I’m so excit- about distractions and all that stuff. People want to the Jazz at Staples Center. Their 2-1 series it’s time to go elsewhere to pursue an ed about the pieces they’ve brought in, especial- lead vanished along with Griffin, who went elusive title. carry. Backup Giovani Bernard tore an ACL mid- to create rivalries and all these things, but at the way through last season, and receiver AJ Green ly on the offensive side of the ball,” Hill said. “I end of the day when you’re out there playing, you down with a season-ending toe injury in think they’re going to be very beneficial to us.” Game 3. He wasn’t around to watch the INJURIES suffered a significant hamstring injury. don’t hear any of that stuff.” — AP team’s demise, having traveled to consult During the regular season, Griffin with a doctor about possible surgery. missed 19 games with a sore right knee Whether Griffin’s around next season that required a procedure, while Paul sat Thunder GM sees a bright is one of the big questions facing the out 21 games with a hamstring issue and franchise. Griffin and Chris Paul can opt a ligament tear in his left thumb. A year out of their contracts this summer. JJ ago, Paul broke his hand and Griffin re- Redick - who made one basket in Game 7 aggravated a quad injury in a first-round future with young talent - becomes a free agent. Ultimately, they playoff loss against Portland. Griffin had hold the future of the franchise in their missed 41 games because of the quad OKLAHOMA CITY: Thunder general manager he said. “We found a way to get ourselves to 47 things that we felt were really important to the hands. For his part, third-year owner during the regular season, in addition to Sam Presti finds wannabe executives amusing. wins throughout the regular season.” Presti said season.” Presti said he’s open to making moves in Steve Ballmer would have to shell out losing time after breaking his hand One of the most common questions he gets he is proud of how the Thunder performed this the offseason to add to the roster, yet he feels upward of $200 million, including the punching the team’s assistant equipment involves how the Thunder plan to address depth season after losing Kevin Durant to free agency. that with one of the youngest teams in the luxury tax, to keep the trio together. manager. Because of the injuries, Ballmer at point guard behind Russell Westbrook. The He noted that many teams fall much further league, the Thunder will likely improve signifi- “We’ve been reading about our obituary may decide it’s worth keeping them Thunder struggled at times, especially in the play- after losing a player of Durant’s caliber. cantly from within. A key will be trying to get for about three months now,” coach Doc around to take another crack at winning offs, when their MVP candidate went to the bench. Westbrook set the NBA record for triple-doubles Westbrook to sign an extension in the offseason. Rivers said. “I’m sure everyone will have the franchise’s first NBA championship. “A lot of people have mentioned that to me, in a season, averaged a triple-double and kept He signed a new deal last summer, but he has a their own suggestions.” in the grocery store and other places,” he said fans energized throughout the season. player option for 2018-19. The new collective The Clippers began the season as the DOC RIVERS Monday, drawing laughter from the media. bargaining agreement allows for a team to league’s best team at 14-2. They ended He just completed his fourth season in “That’s the great thing about working in IMPROVING FROM WITHIN extend a player five years if there is a year the regular season as the hottest team L.A. working the dual roles of president of Oklahoma City.” Presti said the backup point Still, the Thunder didn’t reach their usual lev- remaining on his current deal. Westbrook said with a seven-game winning streak. Then basketball operations and coach. Under guard position will be looked at in the offseason, el. A first-round exit was tough to take for a fran- last week that he hasn’t thought about it yet. they blew a 2-1 lead against the Jazz, him, the team has a .662 winning percent- but he also warned against making too much of chise that reached the Western Conference finals Presti hopes to avoid another Durant situation. leaving their fans wondering if the Lob age in the regular season. But the Clippers specific issues following the 4-1 loss to Houston four of the previous five years. “We still want to Andre Roberson is a restricted free agent. He City era is over. Here are some things to have consistently failed to contend for a in the first round of the playoffs. be playing basketball right now,” Presti said. “So has offensive limitations, but should draw atten- know about the Clippers heading into title, going 18-21 with a .462 winning per- “I don’t want to place so much weight on five we weren’t able to advance this year, and we tion as one of the best defensive wing players in the offseason: centage in the playoffs. — AP games in the post-season that were decided by understand that. But we also understand that the league. Presti said the sides had productive the free-throw line and the rebounding margin,” we accomplished quite a bit with respect to the conversations in the fall. — AP