Allgemeines » that he is an exceptional driver and a true champion

CHICAGO -- Dennis Rodman is preparing to thrill North Korean fans during an exhibition basketball tour there late next month. Scarpe Nike Tn Scontate . Though he ducked questions in an interview with The Associated Press about whether his Christmas-time visit would be used for propaganda purposes by Kim Jong Un, the 29-year-old leader of one of the worlds most repressive regimes, Rodman said hell be accompanied on the trip by a dozen or so former NBA players. But he refused to name names. "I have seven people right now," Rodman said. "I talked to a couple of guys last week. Lot of guys are saying, OK, great. Ill go. Well go. But Im not saying this to get people to go over there to prove a point -- OK, great, lets go over there and make a difference. "No-o-o-o-o-o," he continued. "Lets go over there because this is a great opportunity for everyone to see a different culture. ... This country is so bad. This city is so bad. OK, great, come see it and tell the world when you come back, Hey, its not as bad as you think. And thats why Im taking NBA players over there, to show them, so they can come back and talk about it." Back in the news as a self-appointed ambassador and friend of Kim, Rodman returned Thursday to where he won the last three of his five NBA championships playing alongside Michael Jordan. On a promotional tour to pitch a vodka brand, Rodman, 52, held court downtown amid camera flashes. Rodman said he wouldnt talk about his relationship with Kim or North Korean politics, including its widely condemned human-rights record and secretive nuclear weapons program. Though he eventually touched on those subjects, Rodman glossed over several related questions and largely ignored a challenge to his answer about whether North Korea was holding U.S. citizens as hostages, including 85-year-old Korean War veteran Merrill Newman. The Swedish Embassy is negotiating on behalf of Newman because the U.S. has no diplomatic ties to North Korea. Rodmans friendship with Kim has afforded him the kind of access denied statesmen from the West and even U.S. President Barack Obama. Rodman came under criticism for being "naive" during a previous visit to North Korea, where he was photographed often with Kim, and some members of the diplomatic community fear his antics could further aggravate already-sensitive negotiations. Rodman said his reasons for returning were much more personal and beyond that, Kims motives were not his concern. "Like I told you, this is not all about trying to create this major buzz," Rodman said. "Because I dont want my friend to sit there and say I been doing this all along to slip in some information on him. I dont want that. Thats why Im not doing that. Were friends and thats it. "This aint about me trying to be a politician and try to get some scoop on him and stuff like that. ... Hes my friend first. Other than that, I dont give a damn what ... he does." Rodman began his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons in 1986. It ended in 2000, after failed attempts to catch on with both the Lakers and Mavericks. Whether or not he misses the game, its clear he enjoys being back in the limelight, detractors and all. "People say, what do you do for a living? I dont know. I just float around the world. Basically, I dont do anything. I do a lot of major things around the world. I do things that is very significant right now, and people are actually paying attention to Dennis Rodman now. "Back when I was doing my finagling in sports, they thought I was a joke. They thought I was a cartoon character or something like that. All of a sudden now, people are taking me seriously. You know, an ambassador all around the world," he added. "Its like ... I think things have come full circle." Air Max 97 False . - IndyCar racing officials expressed confidence on Monday that the NOLA Motorsports Park will be able to complete more $4. Kd Scarpe Basket Scontate . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. http://www.airmaxshoponlineitalia.it/scontate-max-95-outlet.html . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability.Four-time series champion Sebastien Bourdais has signed a two-year deal with KVSH Racing to replace Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan. The contract confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday gives team principals Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and James "Sulli" Sullivan hope that KVSH can compete for titles going forward now that it has a driver that is tied for second with Mario Andretti and Dario Franchitti for series championships. "Sebastien is a proven champion and we look forward to working with him to produce more championships," Kalkhoven said. Kanaan won the Indianapolis 500 in May with KVSH, but decided to leave for Chip Ganassi Racing next year. KVSH acted fast in offering the same deal it offered Kanaan to three-race winner James Hinchcliffe, but the team gave Hinchcliffe a short deadline to accept the contract that did not require the driver to bring any sponsorship. When Hinchcliffe decided KVSHs timeline was too fast, the team moved on to Bourdais, winner of four consecutive Champ Car titles from 2004 through 2007. Bourdais has 31 victories, tied with Franchitti and Paul Tracy for eighth on the all-time wins list. "I have raced against him and can say without a doubt that he is an exceptional driver and a true champion. We look forward to winning a lot of races with him," said Vasser, the 1996 CART champion. Bourdais left American open-wheel racing for Formula One following his fourth Champ Car title, joining Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2008 season. He was replaced nine races into the 2009 season. Bourdais joined Team Peugeot after his release and finished second in the LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009, dabbling in a variety of series before returning to IndyCar in 2011 for nine races with Dale Coyne Racing. Bourdais landed a full-time ride in 2012 with Dragon Racing, where he was hampered for the first part of the season with a Lotus engine. After a switch to Chevrolet before the Indianapolis 500, Bourdais had to share his car with teammate Katherine Legge for the remainder of the season. He finished 25th in the final standings with a season-best finish of fourth at Mid-Ohio. This year has seen a far better showing from Bourdais as Dragon has put forth a more stable effort. Bourdais has three podium finishes, including a runner-up finish to Scott Dixon in Toronto. Now he joins a team that clearly can compete on ovals -- all three of Kanaans podiums this season are on ovals -- but isnt sure what it can do on road and street courses because thats not Kanaans strength. But because Simona de Silvestro finished second at Houston two weeks ago in KVSHs second car, the team believes Bourdais will give them a well-rounded driver capable of challenging on every circuit. Of Bourdais 31 victories, 15 are on road courses and 12 are on street courses. Hes also won on three ovals -- twice at Las Vegas, and once at Milwaukee. "I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and Sulli for this opportunity," said Bourdais. "The fact that I have an agreement with KVSH Racing so early, and tthat I have a two-year contract, shows the teams commitment to their new era in the IndyCar Series. Air Max Shop Online Italia. I am looking forward to meeting the crew and getting started with testing as soon as possible." KVSH has not decided who will drive its second car yet. Its alliance with de Silvestro and her management team was only a one-year deal, and replacing Kanaan was the first priority. The team also has given Sullivan a larger role as principal. He was instrumental in landing the bulk of the sponsorship that was on Kanaans winning car at Indy and stayed with the team after Kanaan said he was leaving for Ganassi. "First of all I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for their hard work. The three of us are committed to taking the team to the next level," Sullivan said. "This is something we have been working towards for many months. I am ecstatic to sign Sebastien, a driver I expect will get it done for us throughout the season. This is the next step in building KVSH Racing into a team that competes for wins and championships every year." Its not clear if Jay Penske will need a replacement for Bourdais at Dragon because its not known if Dragon will return to the IndyCar grid next season. Hes already announced hell field entries in the FIA Formula E championship next season, and Penske has not indicated if hell compete in IndyCar, as well. Bourdais thanked Penske for supporting him the last two seasons. Hinchcliffe, meanwhile, seemed close to locking down a deal before Saturday nights season finale at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Intent on not rushing into a decision and making his next contract the best for his long-term future, Hinchcliffes decision could be to return to Andretti Autosport. The team appears to have locked down the sponsorship needed to resign Hinchcliffe as current sponsor GoDaddy is likely headed out of IndyCar. Andretti also could be poised to announce his 2014 manufacturer alliance this weekend, with all signs pointing to a switch to Honda. The team owner was coy Wednesday on all fronts while announcing ABC Supply Co. as title sponsor of the Milwaukee IndyFest for the next two years. "Were getting close. Weve got a few things to button up. Im hoping we can make a few announcements this weekend," Andretti said. When asked if Hinchcliffe would be on hand for those announcements, Andretti said: "I hope so. Well see. Were working on it. We dont have anything done yet, but were getting close on some things. Thats the goal, so well see if we reach our goal or not." Hinchcliffe also had been in preliminary talks with Ganassi on a deal that would have allowed him to compete across all of Ganassis platforms, including sports cars and possibly even NASCARs Nationwide Series as a replacement to Kyle Larson in events Larson could not get to once he moves up to the Sprint Cup Series. But with negotiations finally heating up with Andretti, staying put, especially if a potential move to Honda could pair the Canadian with Honda Canada, could be Hinchcliffes best bet. ' ' '