Here are my thoughts on Dwane Caseys contract extension, Michael Carter Williams as rookie of the year, Mark Jacksons firing in Golden State, RC Buford as executive of the year and Kevin Durant as most valuable player. 1. Dwane Casey contract extension: Makes complete sense to me. Stability in leadership positions in any organization is vital to success and the fact that you know what the vision/direction of the Raptors will be for the foreseeable future, thats a positive. He earned that extension with a solid approach the past three years. The building process of creep-crawl-walk-run is in the walk stage right now and thats a solid development. Lots and lots of work ahead to get it to the run stage but usually an important part of that vital next step beyond better players is having consistency and shared vision at the top to see the job through. The right decision was made. A good day for not only Dwane Casey but for Raptors fans. 2. Michael Carter Williams (76ers): Rookie of the Year choice was a no-brainer. Hes actually a better pro than what I saw from him in college at Syracuse. Wonderful all-round talent that impacts the game on so many fronts. If they can add a solid supporting cast around him, hes got a chance to be one of the elite lead guards in the league for a long time. A real positive amidst a season of frustration in Philly. 3. Mark Jackson (Warriors): Cant say Im surprised by this move. With two assistant coaches being let go during the regular season and the constant rumors, you knew that something behind the scenes had run amiss in the Bay Area. He did a good job in his run there and in my opinion, deserves and will get another crack at it at some point, possibly quite soon. Opens up a very attractive job. If Im in their shoes, the guy I go get is Stan Van Gundy. He did a terrific job in both Miami and Orlando as a head coach and, after taking two years off, youd be getting an energized guy with big time leadership and head coaching experience. Lots of talent and money invested there so go get a guy that can help you see full return on your investment. 4. RC Buford (Spurs): The model franchise. Partnership, leadership, basketball savvy and smarts all in effect in major doses. Behind the scenes, Buford sets the tone for the positive direction for this organization. No panic, always the big picture in mind and a terrific feel for the team concept. They do things in a first class fashion and his support of Gregg Popovich in the shadows is impressive. Well earned and well deserved. 5. Kevin Durant (Thunder): If you havent watched/listened to Durants MVP acceptance speech, please do so. Wow! Ive always been a huge fan of him as a person and player but now Im head over heels about him. Gotta tell you, he had me crying. 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Akiem Hicks Youth Jersey .com) - Delon Wright made all 12 of his free throws and finished with 21 points and six assists as No. William Perry Bears Jersey . Lost to Los Angeles in first round of playoffs.CORTINA DAMPEZZO, Italy - Boyfriend Tiger Woods was watching on the Internet back in Florida where it was 5 a.m.Mom, dad and younger sister Laura were among the first to offer congratulations in person.Grandpa Don, meanwhile, can finally add the crowning achievement to his detailed multi-volume scrapbook collection on the familys star skier.Lindsey Vonn had plenty of loved ones to turn to when she tied Austrian great Annemarie Moser-Proells 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup wins with a downhill victory Sunday.In that sense, the latest milestone in a career filled with achievements was somewhat different.It means a lot, Vonn said. Both my parents havent been able to come to any World Cups. My mother because she couldnt afford it and my father because we werent speaking for a long time. And now I feel like everything is great with my family and to have my mom come to her first European World Cup and see my 62nd win is something very special.Vonn was estranged from her father, Alan Kildow, while she was married to the former skier Thomas Vonn. But father and daughter repaired their relationship after Vonn separated from Thomas three years ago.Its nice that I can finally share these experiences with them, Vonn said. And also have it be historical moments for myself and for the sport. To share that with them is very special.Vonns family — dad Alan, step mom Terri Kildow, mom Lindy Lund, step dad Todd Lund, and sister Laura Kildow — joined her on the podium to celebrate.While Vonn said she still considered her gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as her top career achievement, mom didnt agree.Im very proud of her, Vonns mother said. Its a lifetime achievement. Its better than winning a gold medal. Its much bigger. Its huge ... She has won every event. You cant just be a slalom skier to do this.Sister Laura, who is studying abroad in Florence, explained how their grandfather Don keeps an extensive collection of press clippings covering Vonns career.He has 38 or 39 volumes, Laura Kildow saidd.ddddddddddddUsually, mom Lindy texts or emails Vonn before each race — most of which take place in the middle of the night or very early morning back in the United States.Then I call Don and Shirley — her grandparents — and see what number she runs, Lindy Lund said. And I call them after each race and I see how she has done. Every race all season.Vonn has two other sisters and a brother — triplets — who did not make the trip.Woods also couldnt come, as hes practicing for a tournament later this month in his return from a back injury. But he was watching and sent Vonn a congratulatory message.He said, Good job, and hes proud of me, Vonn said. He was watching with his daughter Sam, so they were up early in the morning.So might this record inspire Woods to revive his golf career and reach Jack Nicklaus record of 18 major championships? Woods has been stuck at 14 since 2008.Hes a pretty determined guy, Vonn said. I dont think he needs any inspiration from me. Hes been working really, really hard and Im looking forward to watching him come back, because he has put a lot of work into it and Im sure hes going to be back on top soon.Vonn added that Woods is planning to attend some of her races at next months world championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado.Its tough to have two athletes competing at the same time, but hes definitely going to make something work, she said.Woods has already made a good impression on Vonns mom.Ive met him, Lindy Lund told The Associated Press. Nice guy. I like him.Vonns dad first came to Europe for races in Bad Kleinkircheim last weekend, but those events were cancelled due to difficult weather conditions in the Austrian resort.Vonn then finisheed 10th in a downhill on Friday, and had to wait a little longer when Saturdays race was postponed to Sunday. She can break the record in a super-G on Monday.Im very proud of her, Alan Kildow said. She held up under the pressure. Its been a long two weeks.___Andrew Dampf can be followed at www.twitter.com/asdampf ' ' '