the clubs first XI, says attitudes towards the LGBT combut

LOS ANGELES -- The growth spurt of the youthful Los Angeles Lakers has sprung faster than expected.I came into this job with an open mind, Lakers first-year coach Luke Walton said Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times, after his club recorded a 119-108 victory over the Phoenix Suns. They havent shown me anything to say that theyre immature other than the age of a lot of them. Theyve come to work every single day since weve been here, even before training camp. Their actions speak loud. Theyre grown men that are in this to get better and to be as good as they can.The Lakers will go for their fourth consecutive win when the Dallas Mavericks visit Staples Center on Tuesday.By beating the Suns, the Lakers (4-3) captured their third straight win for the first time since the 2012-13 season. They also are above the .500 mark after seven games since the Lakers started the 2011-12 campaign with an identical record.The win over the Suns followed a stunning 20-point rout of the Golden State Warriors on Friday and a surprising road decision over the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday.Against Phoenix, the Lakers got valuable contributions from several players, with six scoring in double figures, but none were more notable than Nick Young, who finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. Young spent much of last season on the bench, being a frequent target of the hard-line ways of former Lakers coach Byron Scott.Los Angeles is 3-0 at home.We won 17 games last year, said forward Larry Nance Jr., according to the Times. Nance wont play against the Mavericks after suffering a concussion in the first half against the Suns. What are we, 4-3? Thats not enough success to get to anybodys head at this point. Were all still hungry and humble and really excited to keep going.The Mavericks, who won their first game of the season Sunday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, are hoping to extend their 10-game winning streak over the Lakers, taking the last five at Staples. However, they will have to do so without Dirk Nowitzki, who wont play because of a sore Achilles. The 38-year-old Nowitzki hasnt been available since missing the second half of a 105-95 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.Dallas also might be without point guard Deron Williams (strained left calf), who is listed as doubtful for the Lakers game.Despite the pairs absences against the Bucks, the Mavericks (1-5) snapped a five-game skid behind a career-best 34 points from Harrison Barnes in an 86-75 overtime win.This was just a case of outlasting an opponent, said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, according to the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. On defense, we were great. You look at the whole game and we had a plan -- we got down early -- but we stuck with it.We made these guys beat us in the half-court game and these games can be ugly. But in our situation right now, its what we have to do to win games. Fake Nike NFL Jerseys . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Fake NFL Jerseys Cheap . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. https://www.fakenfljerseys.com/ . "It was nerve-wracking, but we pulled through," said Collaros, who threw four touchdown passes to lead the Toronto Argonauts (8-4) to a 33-27 win over the Calgary Stampeders (9-3) in front of 28,781 fans at McMahon Stadium. Fake NFL Jerseys China . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Fake NFL Jerseys Wholesale . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft.The colours of the rainbow will be seen this weekend at football stadiums up and down the United Kingdom. The Rainbow Laces campaign carries a simple message: Make sport everyones game. The aim is to create awareness of homophobia and a pathway to stop abuse and change attitudes.The issues are huge. Homophobia in football still rife Rainbow Laces survey shows 72% of football fans have witnessed homophobic abuse at games Football Association chairman Greg Clarke told a committee of MPs in October that he wouldnt recommend that a male gay footballer come out publicly right now. The comments were viewed as clumsy and awkward; however, a relevant point had been made and a conversation had begun. Does an environment exist where a current footballer would feel comfortable to come out as a gay man? Thomas Hitzlsperger revealed he was gay after announcing his retirement from professional football We have been and are working so hard so that if a player felt they wanted to have the conversation about coming out, we would be there and offer any and all the support we could, the FAs Head of Equality Sue Ravenlaw said.We understand it would be such a difficult decision, but I reiterate all the support would be there. Hitzlsperger told Sky Sports in September that footballs battle against homophobia is still in its infancy There are currently many anti-homophobia charities striving to create that suitable and safe environment, in the event that a professional footballer does reveal himself to be gay. Football is in a bubble when it comes to gay men playing the game. Were used to stubborn professions and working with them, the army, navy, the Church of England, said Rutth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall, the charity behind the idea of the Rainbow Laces campaign.dddddddddddd. LA Galaxys Robbie Rogers, formerly of Leeds United, became the first openly gay professional footballer to play in MLS We understand how difficult it could be for just the one to come out. It may be easier if a group of players came out together.While no professional footballer currently playing in England has revealed they are gay, many gay men play the game every weekend. Take a look at the trailer for the new short film WONDERKID, which portrays the inner turmoil of a young gay footballer Stonewall FC is the worlds oldest openly gay football club, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Eric Najib, who manages the clubs first XI, says attitudes towards the LGBT community in sport have changed massively in recent years, but believes homophobic abuse is still prevalent. WONDERKID: Whats the story? Sky Sports talent involved in new short film about a young gay footballer He said: Some see homophobic abuse as funny, a bit of fun banter, but its not.If a current gay footballer came out now, it would be massive - what a role model for many, many youngsters who may be right now confused. Instead of losing them to football or other sports, theyd have a role model. I could maybe see in the next two or three years, perhaps a player coming out, but it would have to be their choice. They must not be forced. Also See: Homophobia in football still rife Amaechi addresses homophobia WONDERKID: Whats the story? Townsend: Positive environment key ' ' '