nst Charlotte, but we still have a long way to do.dddddddddddd Weve got to get better and well be tested in that regard again on

WASHINGTON -- The Kansas City Royals are going to have to work on their nicknames as far as President Barack Obama is concerned. Everything else was looking pretty good though as he honored the 2015 World Series champions at the White House on Thursday, describing them as one of the grittiest, most complete teams weve seen in a long time.The Royals last visited the White House in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan saluted their never-say-die spirit in the Rose Garden. The 2015 team showed the same quality. Six outs away from playoff elimination, the Royals scored seven runs to defeat the Houston Astros. They went on to win that series and to beat the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets. Obama noted that the Royals held the record for comeback wins in the playoffs.Obama also acknowledged that it had been a long time between visits to the White House for Kansas City. Lets face it, its been a long road for Royals fans, Obama said. There were some dark years, some tough decades.But Obama said that began to change when general manager Dayton Moore was hired and the Royals started to develop talented players through their minor league system. Among them: outfielder Alex Gordon, infielders Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, and catcher Salvador Perez.Obama called each of the players by his nickname: Gordo, Moose, Hos and Salvy. But the president didnt seem to find those too creative.Were going to have to work on these, Obama said.When the president calls you out, you definitely got to start thinking about something, Hosmer said after the ceremony. Weve got some guys in the locker room, Im sure theyre starting to bear down on that.However, Obama admitted to liking outfielder Jarrod Dysons description of one of the teams top weapons: Thats what speed do.Thats a good quote, Obama said.Obama noted that his press secretary, Josh Earnest, is a big Royals fan, and that the Royals visit Thursday was right up there as far as his best days ever. Manager Ned Yost, Hosmer and Perez interrupted the days press briefing to present the Kansas City, Missouri, native with a team jersey, an upgraded mug and an autographed World Series baseball. Yost said the team didnt want Earnest to get into trouble by him trying to hijack the presidents jersey.The team gave Obama a Royals jersey with the No. 44 in gold lettering, which nicely matched the ornate drapes in the White House East Room. Duron Harmon Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Andre Tippett Jersey . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. http://www.cheappatriotsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-malik-gant-jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Terez Hall Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Tyree St. Louis Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. BOSTON -- Dwyane Wade and the new-look Chicago Bulls put their perfect start on the line when they visit the Boston Celtics in an early season rematch Wednesday night.Last week in Chicago, the Bulls (3-0) scored a 105-99 victory over the Celtics (2-1) as Jimmy Butler scored 24 points and Wade, playing his first game after signing with his hometown team during the offseason, added 22. Taj Gibson posted 18 points and 10 rebounds.The Bulls, who have seven new players on the roster, defeated the Indiana Pacers at home Saturday and easily downed the Nets in Brooklyn on Monday night.We only played a little bit together in the preseason, so were still learning each other right now, Wade said Monday. Were only three games in but we see it looking good.At times, were just out there and were feeling very comfortable and everybody, defensively, on the floor trusts each other. And thats rare early in the season for a team that hasnt played together, but were vocal. Everyone is vocal, everyone is talking to each other and communicating, so that goes a long way.The loss in Chicago was the only one for Boston in three games as it hung on to defeat the Nets in its home opener and won at Charlotte on Saturday night. The Celtics played the first two games without the injured Marcus Smart (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (shoulder). Smart is returning for this game.The Celtics were beaten on the boards and on the perimeter in Chicago, and Smart -- a key asset in both -- will help.Marcus is a good rebounder, generally, and hes good at blocking out, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. We were a little bit better (rebounding) against Charlotte, but we still have a long way to do.dddddddddddd Weve got to get better and well be tested in that regard again on Wednesday.While Smart returns, Avery Bradley, who scored a career-high 31 (career-best eight 3-pointers and 11 rebounds) at Charlotte, was doubtful because of right shoulder soreness hes been battling since training camp. He is second on the team with 21.3 points per game and first in rebounding at 8.7.Hes been getting extra treatment on it and everything else, Stevens said Tuesday. For whatever reason, it was a little bit more sore today.One new Bull the Celtics will have to deal with Wednesday is former Celtic Rajon Rondo, who is on his fourth team in the last three seasons. The point guard is averaging 6.7 points, 8.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 turnovers this season.Its a trickle-down effect. Its contagious, Rondo says. It starts with the point guard. Im passing the ball, Michael (Carter-Williams) is doing the same. D-Wade is an unselfish player. Jimmy wants to make plays for the next guy.Rondo was 1-for-9 from the floor against Boston last week, but contributed nine assists, six rebounds and two steals. He is averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in four games versus the Celtics.The Celtics will be without center Al Horford, who was placed in the NBAs concussion protocol following a hit to the head during Mondays practice.Horford is suffering from concussion symptoms after being hit in the head Monday during practice, the Celtics announced Wednesday. ' ' '