SAN ANTONIO -- In the first NBA Finals game of his reign as the leagues commissioner, Adam Silver had to deal with a sweltering arena. Compared to what hes gone through in recent weeks, that seemed like a breeze. Speaking to The Associated Press on Friday at an NBA Cares event, Silver said hes thrilled that the leagues attention can be on the championship series between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs -- and not, as it was for so much of the post-season, on the off-the-court matters involving the banishment of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and now the looming sale of that franchise. "No question," Silver said. "In fairness to all the players and the teams, they worked so hard to get to this moment and a hot building is part of the competition in essence. And all those other things that weve been talking about the last several weeks are not." Posing for photos with Spurs players, coach Gregg Popovich, general manger R.C. Buford and others, Silver was all smiles when the ceremonial red ribbon was cut at the leagues latest "Learn & Play Center" at a San Antonio elementary school. Its the 897th time that the league has been involved with opening a facility like that, and another similar event will be held in Miami when the series shifts there next week. Silver made no prediction, other than saying he thinks the Heat-Spurs matchup could be a long series. He also said he was satisfied that the air conditioning issues that overshadowed Game 1 have been cleared up and will not affect play when the series resumes in San Antonio on Sunday night. "We learn something new all the time," Silver said. "The league checklist continues to get longer, the things that we need to ensure are functioning properly before games." The Sterling matter was Silvers first true test since taking over for David Stern as commissioner, and many players raved about his response, both in terms of message and swiftness. Silver barred Sterling for life after the longtime owner acknowledged making racist comments on tape, plus fined him $2.5 million. Now, the Sterling matter looks to be essentially over. The Clippers are poised to be sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion, and Sterlings attorney said earlier this week that issues between Sterling and the NBA will be resolved without need for a lawsuit -- a decision that basically clears the biggest hurdle that would have precluded a sale. "Im pleased and proud that the attention is on the greatest basketball in the world," Silver said. Custom New York Islanders Jerseys . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. John Tavares Jersey . That still leaves a big hole.You dont replace the leadership, defensive co-ordinator Billy Davis said. You just dont. Leadership is something that is earned over time. http://www.islanderssale.com/authentic-b...nders-jersey/.Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times. Denis Potvin Jersey .C. -- Steve Spurrier was much happier about South Carolinas improved performance than about his lastest career milestone. Pat LaFontaine Jersey . This is an exercise I have undertaken a few times, starting in 2009, and hope that Ive refined my approach a little bit in that time to help paint a better picture.ALAMEDA, Calif. - Rookie Derek Carrs first NFL start as Oakland Raiders quarterback was a learning experience. He saw new defences, exotic blitzes and got to see firsthand what playing in the NFL is like after years of watching big brother David do it. Perhaps the most important thing Carr learned was that he belonged on that big stage already at the start of his rookie season even if the end result against the New York Jets wasnt quite what he hoped with a 19-14 loss last Sunday. "I can do this," Carr said Wednesday. "I was able to go out there and play against a great defence. ... To play against them for your first game, I was fired up because you want to see as much as you can, as early as you can in your career." Carr had an up-and-down performance that would be expected from a rookie making his first career start going up against a Rex Ryan defence. He threw an early touchdown pass to Rod Streater and avoided any turnovers or egregious mistakes. But he also struggled to get the ball downfield, relying mostly on screens and quick passes. Carr completed 20 of 32 passes for 151 yards. Only three of those completions travelled at least 10 yards downfield, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to James Jones in the closing minutes. Carr said the lack of downfield throws was more about situations and the defence than a cautious game plan looking to protect a rookie. "They were called, theres no doubt they were called," Carr said of the deep passes. "It we went down there and out of the 30-something throws, we threw it down the field 28 times, it would probably have been even worse than it looked. It doesnt always work out the way you want to. But they were called and theyll continue to be called." Carrs first start at MetLife Stadium came in the same building that his brother threw his final NFL pass as a backup for the New York Giants in 2012. Derek Carrs first hoome start with the Raiders comes against the Houston Texans, the team that drafted David first overall in 2002 to be the face of the expansion franchise.dddddddddddd That did not work out as planned as David Carr struggled at the start on an overmatched team, getting sacked an NFL-record 76 times as a rookie. Those beatings took a toll on David Carr that he was never able to overcome and left an impression on young Derek. "All I knew is I grew up a Cowboys and Raiders fan and I never saw those quarterbacks get hit that much," he said. "Just being honest. Thats what my thought was as a kid. Being older and going back and watching those games, I understand what was going on." While Derek Carr joined a team that hadnt posted a winning record for 11 straight seasons, it is not anything like an expansion team. But even with a veteran offensive line, Carr was pressured on 47.1 per cent of his drop backs, according to Pro Football Focus, third most in the league last week. Making matters worse is the team that generated the most pressure is the Texans with star end J.J. Watt leading the charge. But coach Dennis Allen said he expects to see a step forward this week from Carr and the line. "I thought he handled himself well in the game last week," Allen said. "I think well see improvement. Just like you see from season one to season two, you always see improvement, the most improvement you see during the season is from Week 1 to Week 2. Im excited about watching him play." NOTES: RB Maurice Jones-Drew missed practice with a hand injury and his status is day to day. ... LB Nick Roach practiced after missing the opener because of a concussion sustained in the third exhibition game but has still not been cleared to play. ... CB Chimdi Chekwa was back at practice on a limited basis after being sidelined during the preseason with a knee injury. 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