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NEW YORK --?Maria Sharapova, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension by nine months on Tuesday, said the International Tennis Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency might have targeted her to set an example for other athletes.I dont want to think that, Sharapova said during an interview with ESPN. I hate to think that. Its not a great feeling to even consider that.Its hard not to when the Tennis Federation asks for me to be banned for four years.The CAS, in reducing the suspension from 24 to 15 months, said Sharapova and her management team held some fault for her continued use of meldonium after it was banned Jan. 1. The tribunal, however, also put focus on WADA and the ITF for failing to adequately communicate to its players that it was indeed banned.I think what it has certainly done is brought awareness that there are flaws in the system, Sharapova said.An Outside the Lines investigation this week revealed that tennis has comparatively low instances of positive drug tests -- 1 in 985 tests versus 1 in 274 in track and field and 1 in 520 in swimming -- and that 65 percent of players surveyed in an ESPN Tennis Confidential felt the sport didnt drug-test enough.The ITF issued a statement Thursday saying it did not try to ban Sharapova for four years, as has been suggested.The ITF stated clearly that it was the responsibility of the Independent Tribunal -- and subsequently the CAS Panel -- to determine what the appropriate sanction should be, the ITF statement said. This included the decision as to whether Ms. Sharapova met the requirements set out in the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme - which are the same as those in the WADA Code - for a reduction from the default four-year suspension for the use of a non-specified substance such as meldonium. The CAS Panel confirmed Ms. Sharapovas violation of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and a 15-month suspension.Sharapovas attorney responded later Thursday, saying that the ITFs claim that it didnt try to ban Sharapova for four years was patently false, citing the letter to Sharapova informing her of her positive test that noted a four year period of Ineglibility would apply.Sharapova plans to return to the court next week in Las Vegas at the World Team Tennis Smash Hits, a charity event co-hosted by?Billie Jean King and Elton John. She cannot return to sanctioned WTA events until April 2017.Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium five times while the drug was on WADAs watch list in 2015, but she wasnt warned that she had or that it was going to be banned in 2016 because she was told such results were confidential. Thats why, she said, she was surprised that her positive drug test at the Australian Open was for meldonium.WADA and the ITF said they provided wallet cards and that the information was available in an email sent on Dec. 22, 2015, titled Main Changes to the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.Although it is thought that the drug, which is commonly available over the counter in Eastern European countries, might have performance-enhancing qualities because it is designed to open blood vessels and better serve the heart, the 29-year-old tennis star said theres zero evidence that its a performance enhancer. The drug was recommended to Sharapova after irregularities appeared on her electrocardiograms.Ivars Kalvins, the chemist who designed the drug, met with WADA in September to try to dissuade it from again putting meldonium on the list of banned substances for 2017. But when the list was published Friday, meldonium was still banned.Some of Sharapovas legacy could depend on what is ultimately found out about the drug and its ability to enhance performance.I wont treat it that way, she said. I think the one thing that Id love to see -- and if anyone could show me -- is evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has.Nothing, since all these cases have come out, has WADA come out with actual research. And theyve actually said they didnt do exertion research.Sharapova said she has not received much public support from her contemporaries.When you are going through such a tough period and so many ups and downs, thats not really what you are thinking about, she said. Its about when Im coming back. That wasnt something that was a focus of mine.Private support from fellow players means more to her, she said.Sharapova said that going forward, shes looking for a replacement for meldonium. Shes also looking for a doctor to be on her staff who will be the point person for everything that goes in her body and will monitor the list of banned substances. Adidas NMD Mens Discount . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Cheap Mens Adidas NMD Shoes . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/wholesale-adidas-nmd-r1-china.html . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Adidas NMD Human Race Cheap . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Adidas NMD R1 Womens Raw Pink . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. NEW ORLEANS -- If Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams keep scoring like this, opponents are going to have trouble matching up with Los Angeles second unit this season.Clarkson scored 23 points, Williams added 21, and the Lakers won for the fifth time in six games, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 126-99 on Saturday night.Me and Lou are going to be real aggressive coming in. Were trying to do a good job of leading this second group, bringing the energy, scoring the ball, pushing the pace, Clarkson said. Coach (Luke Walton) gave that to us. Thats our role and thats what were going to do.DAngelo Russell scored 22 and Nick Young added 15 points for the Lakers, who shot 55.3 percent (52 of 94) overall and made 16 of 30 3-pointers.Combined, Lakers guards scored 84 points.It just shows how much firepower weve got and how deep we can go, Clarkson said. Weve got so many options, its crazy.Anthony Davis scored 34 for New Orleans, but left the game for a pivotal stretch with lower back pain after his layup had cut Los Angeles lead to 63-62 in the third quarter. Davis, who crumpled to the court after his shot fell, went to the locker room and was out of the game for four-plus minutes while the Lakers went on a 14-0 run.It just locked up on me, Davis said of his back. I hate being out, so I tried to do whatever I could to come back.Davis added nine more points after he returned, but New Orleans never recovered, losing for the ninth time in its first 10 games and dropping to 0-5 at home.New Orleans has been without three top players -- guards Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, and forward Quincy Pondexter -- so far this season. The lack of depth caused by those absences stuck out against a Lakers second unit that has demonstrated exceptional chemistry lately.Their bench totally dominated the game, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. We couldnt get Lou stopped. I thought Clarkson pretty much scored at will.Rookie Buddy Hield scored 18 points and Langston Galloway added 12 for the Pelicans.Young was 5 for 7 from 3-point range, while Clarkson went 4 of 6 and Russell 4 of 77.ddddddddddddRookie Brandon Ingram scored 10 points for the Lakers. He left the game in the second half with what team officials said was a sprained left ankle, but Ingram said he might have returned if his team hadnt built such a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter.TIP-INSLakers: Julius Randle had 11 rebounds to go with eight points. ... Williams entered the game as one of the top scorers in the NBA in a reserve role, averaging 15.9 points. He scored 14 in the first half, hitting six of his first 10 shots, including a 3-pointer. His 21 points tied a season high. ... Young, who entered the game 22 of 22 on free throws this season, did not attempt a foul shot -- nor did any Lakers starter. ... The Lakers 53.3 percent shooting from 3-point range was their best since hitting 14 of 25 (56 percent) in a 111-103 win over Denver on Dec. 30, 2014.Pelicans: Davis reached 30 points for the seventh time in 10 games this season. ... Hield reached double digits in scoring for the fourth time in six games, scoring no fewer than nine points in a game during that span and as many as 18 twice.REMINISCINGWalton and Gentry hugged in the hallway outside the locker rooms before the game. They also reminisced about their time as assistants on the same staff with Golden State during the 2014-15 season, when the Warriors were NBA champions. Gentry said he was not at all surprised to see Waltons early success as a first-year head coach of a young team that won only 17 games last season.Hes got a great feel for the game, but I think more so than that, hes got a great feel for people. He can relate to anyone, Gentry said.Gentry also alluded to a couple of Lakers players whove said they would run through a wall for Walton. In our profession, Gentry began, laughing as he spoke, youve accomplished a lot when an NBA player says something like that about his coach.UP NEXTLakers: Visit Minnesota on Sunday night.Pelicans: Host Boston on Monday night. ' ' '