an Francisco Giants.Harper was removed from Saturdays

MINNEAPOLIS -- In the funny-money economics of the new NBA, Gorgui Diengs four-year, $64 million contract extension really isnt a lot of money.In the real world that Dieng inhabits, the one in which his hometown in Senegal cant even get basic necessities for its hospital, $64 million can, and will, have an incredible impact.It doesnt matter how much you make but what can you do with it, Dieng said Tuesday, one day after signing the contract to keep him with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the long haul. Im sure a lot of people make more money than I did before and they didnt do the right thing with it. I always wanted to help and Im going to keep helping. Im going to do the best I can to my ability to make peoples lives better.Working hand-in-hand with Matter, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding health care throughout the world, and Roger and Nancy McCabe of the Timberwolves Fastbreak Foundation, Dieng has put together a three-phase Gorgui Project to deliver equipment and tools for the hospital and agriculture in Kebemer. Dieng has helped ship massive containers back home with X-ray machines, beds, rototillers and even a tractor to help those he left when he came to the United States to pursue a basketball career.So while other big men like Utahs Rudy Gobert and Oklahoma Citys Steven Adams signed extensions for four years and at least $100 million, Dieng wasnt interested in squeezing every last dollar he could out of the Timberwolves. Had he declined the offer and become a free agent next summer, he likely would have commanded a contract of at least $80 million. But in his four years in Minnesota, Dieng has found a home, and he made it clear he wanted to stay.I want to be here. I didnt want to be here I wouldnt have bought a house this summer, he said. Everybody knew it. I wanted to be here. I dont like moving around back and forth. I like here. I like the organization. Great people. They help you. Its an easy task for me being here.The 26-year-old Dieng has emerged as a versatile and dependable big man, able to defend multiple positions, block shots, rebound and hit the midrange jumper. It didnt take long for new coach Tom Thibodeau to understand he is a perfect fit alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt. Dieng is averaging 13.0 points and 13.5 rebounds in the first two games this season.I think its important for the organization, Thibodeau said. Obviously, we feel very good about him signing. Thats important for us to move forward. He embodies all the things were looking for. He has had a very good start to his career. He continues to improve. He gets better and better, but its also who he is: His character, his intelligence, his drive. I think those things are important.Diengs decision to sign for less than he probably could have gotten on the open market provides the Wolves some flexibility for the coming years when Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine come up for extensions that are expected to come at a much steeper price. Dieng met with Wolves owner Glen Taylor on Monday to chart out the vision for the franchise over the next five years, and he decided to try to set the tone for the negotiations to come in hopes that this tight-knit group stays together.If I go to another team, am I going to be happy? I dont know, Dieng said. I just wanted to be happy and make sure Im comfortable where I am at. Im looking forward (hoping) theyre all going to do the same and be honest with their teammates, because at the end of the day its not all about the money. Ivan Rodriguez Jersey . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Lenny Randle Jersey . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/612h-jeff-russell-jersey-rangers.html . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Elvis Andrus Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Taylor Guerrieri Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. WASHINGTON -- Outfielder Bryce Harper is not in the Nationals starting lineup for Sundays series finale against the San Francisco Giants.Harper was removed from Saturdays 7-1 loss to the Giants with neck stiffness.After the game Harper said that he has been bothered by a stiff neck for a few days but wasnt sure what caused it.Harper was 0 for 3 with three strikeouts Saturday, dropping his batting average to .233. The 2015 National League MVP is noow hitting .dddddddddddd179 (19 for 106) since July 1 and has one home run in his last 22 games.The Nationals upcoming schedule is favorable should Harper require a few days to recover.Washington has a day off Monday before beginning a two-game series against the Indians. The Nationals then have another day off Thursday. ' ' '