Trevor Plouffe (broken left rib) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester, but theres no timetable for his return. Plouffe, who hasnt played since July 1, is batting .252 with seven ho

NEW YORK -- NBA players arent just worried about their teams as they start a new season.Theyre concerned for their country.The usual basketball clich?s that dominate media days gave way to serious talk about social injustice and violence in communities, with players wanting to be involved in finding solutions but acknowledging they dont know yet how.Some of the things that Ive been addressing over this past summer, I think were still in the same state. I think its actually getting worse and it will continue to get worse, Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony said Monday. We still have to kind of keep the conversations going.Anthony was among the highest-profile and most outspoken players following the killing of black men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota in July, joining friends and fellow stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul in a powerful opening to the ESPY Awards and continuing to speak out while playing for the U.S. Olympic team.But recent killings by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina, captured on video have convinced those players that progress they seek hasnt arrived.Obviously, I know things dont happen overnight, but it doesnt seem like there is any change, James told The Associated Press. We just want the conversation to continue to be, `Who are our leaders? Who are our true leaders that are going to help us change whats going on? Everyone is looking for that and no one knows.Players praised San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for bringing attention with his peaceful protest of kneeling during the national anthem. James, Anthony, NBA MVP Stephen Curry and others said they would continue to stand -- as NBA rules stipulate -- and hoped players could find meaningful ways to work with their teammates instead of individually.Am I going to kneel down and put my fist up? No, Im not. Thats no disrespect to Colin or anybody else thats doing it. But theyve gotten the point across, said Draymond Green, Currys Golden State teammate. I dont think I need to come out and do a national anthem protest, because its already started. Theres already a conversation. But like I said, is there going to be something done about it?Protests over the killing of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte turned violent, with Mayor Jennifer Roberts imposing a curfew. Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside still calls the area home and was troubled by it.Weve just got to get an understanding of it, Whiteside told the AP. Theres not really one way to fix the problem. Its been going on for a while. People are sick of it.Brooklyns Jeremy Lin said hes thankful theres more awareness about a problem that was long ignored, but is worried about some of the heated reactions they produced.I just know that right now, talking to different parties and seeing both sides, theres just a lot of tension and hostility and I dont think thats going to get it done, Lin said. I think thats going to harbor more violence.Most teams will begin practicing Tuesday. Among the basketball news Monday:NO MORE BOSH IN MIAMI: Chris Bosh appears to have played his final game with the Heat. Team President Pat Riley said Bosh, who failed a physical last week and wasnt cleared by team doctors to return after missing the second half of last season, is open-minded, but we are not working toward his return .ONE MORE FOR PIERCE IN L.A.: Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce wrote on The Players Tribune that this season, his 19th, would be his last. Pierce, who will turn 39 next month , is 16th on the NBAs career scoring list.NO WORRIES: Derrick Rose said he isnt worried about a rape trial set to start in California on Oct. 4, the date of his first preseason game with the New York Knicks. Its unclear how much, if any, of the preseason Rose would have to miss if there is no settlement in the civil suit. I feel like Im innocent and I feel like I didnt do anything wrong, like I said, and I cant let that distract me with the year that I have ahead of me, Rose said.INJURY UPDATES: Marc Gasols broken right foot is recovered from surgery in February and the Memphis Grizzlies center said he can be a better player, more productive, more consistent . But All-Star guard John Wall will only participate in bits and pieces of Washington Wizards training camp as he rebounds from offseason knee surgery. He is recovering from surgeries on both knees in May.OLD HOMES, NEW BEGINNINGS: Wade and Dwight Howard slipped into the jerseys of teams they rooted for as kids Monday. Howard said joining his hometown Atlanta Hawks was a dream come true after enduring rocky stints with the Lakers and Rockets, while Wade is getting to work with the Chicago Bulls after making 12 All-Star teams in 13 years in Miami.---AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami, AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland and freelance writer Mike Scotto in New York contributed to this report.Cheap Authentic Jerseys 2020 . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Cheap Authentic Jerseys 2020 . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. https://www.wholesalejerseysreview.com/ . Soukalova missed only one target and completed the 15-kilometre course in 40 minutes, 32.6 seconds for both victories in this seasons individual discipline. Darya Domracheva of Belarus was second, 34. Cheap Jerseys 2020 . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Fake Nike NFL Jerseys . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL.CLEVELAND -- If only Minnesota played Cleveland more often, the Twins would be true contenders this season.Despite a 6-21 record against the rest of the AL Central, Minnesota moved to 8-4 against the Indians with a 13-5 win on Wednesday night.You have to enjoy these things when they come along, manager Paul Molitor said. We know they can go the converse way as well.Minnesota has outscored Cleveland 35-16 and has outhit the Indians 46-27 over the first three games of the series.Hitting is contagious and guys are having good at-bats from top to bottom, first baseman Joe Mauer said. Its a lot of fun.Mauer had four of Minnesotas 15 hits, including a single, two doubles and a triple. Hes now 10 for 15 in the series and admitted that its taken some pain for him to start heating up at the plate.Ive been really staying on that back leg, driving the ball, Mauer said. Ive been a little more sore, but its been feeling good getting some results.Twins starter Tyler Duffey (6-8), who allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings, was happy to be in the dugout with Mauer, as opposed to facing the veteran.Hes on a tear right now, Duffey said. I wouldnt want to throw to him.Adding to Mauers big night, Brian Dozier finished 2 for 5 including a three-run homer in the ninth, while Max Kepler finished the game with two singles and two RBI.Kepler is now 7 for 12 in the series with four homers, 10 RBI and six walks.The rookies two-RBI single in the third was a bit controversial, as the blooper to right looked to be caught on a dive by Loonnie Chisenhall.dddddddddddd Indians manager Terry Francona immediately challenged the play, but the call on the field stood.Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway were ejected for arguing by plate umpire Manny Gonzalez after the review.It was close and its one of those things were theyre not going to turn it over unless theyre 100 percent sure, Molitor said. You can understand the reaction because thats a big play in the game.Scoring five runs in the third after taking a 3-0 lead in the second, the Twins bounced Trevor Bauer (7-5) out of the game after just 2 2/3 innings.INJURY UPDATETwins third baseman Trevor Plouffe (broken left rib) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester, but theres no timetable for his return. Plouffe, who hasnt played since July 1, is batting .252 with seven homers and 27 RBI in 58 games. .TRAINERS ROOMTwins: OF Byron Buxton (right knee) wasnt in the lineup for the third straight game, but manager Paul Molior said hes ready to playIndians: OF Michael Brantley (sore right shoulder) hit in the batting cage Wednesday. Hes played in only 11 games this season after surgery in November.UP NEXTTwins: LHP Hector Santiago, acquired from the Angels before the trade deadline, makes his debut with Minnesota in the series finale. He won his last six starts with Los Angeles.Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start against the Twins. ' ' '