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LAS VEGAS -- Chris Paul has already seemingly done the impossible by turning the long-languishing Los Angeles Clippers into a force in the Western Conference. Now hes taken on another big task -- rebuilding the reeling NBA players association. Paul was elected president of the players union Wednesday, replacing Derek Fisher and giving an organization cloaked in turmoil some much-needed star power at the top. The vote by NBA player representatives came six months after the union fired Billy Hunter as executive director, a position that remains vacant and follows about 18 months of in-fighting and drama that occurred during the negotiations for the latest collective bargaining agreement. Hunter countered with a wrongful-termination lawsuit in May, accusing Fisher of conspiring with NBA officials during the 2011 lockout. "Its not about me as president or the first vice-president, its about the players as a whole," Paul said in a conference call Wednesday night. One of Pauls greatest gifts on the court is an ability to get everyone involved and make his teammates better. Now hell try to do the same thing with the union. After the lockout ended and the lawsuits started to take hold, there was a feeling among many players and observers that putting a big name in the big chair would help galvanize the group and get star players interested in participating again. That once was commonplace, with marquee players Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Alex English and Isiah Thomas all serving as union presidents. But Paul, a six-time All-Star who is widely regarded as the best point guard in the league, is the first big star to hold the top spot since Patrick Ewings run ended in 2001. Role players Michael Curry, Antonio Davis and Fisher, who had been in charge since 2006, followed Ewing. "That wasnt a requirement, but I think it gives us a little more oomph, I guess, having somebody like him wanting to step up and take on that role," Charlotte Bobcats forward Anthony Tolliver said in a phone interview. "It means a lot." Paul served as a vice-president for the last four years, so he has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the union, and the trouble that engulfed it recently. "It was something I saw as a challenge, something I knew Id be able to handle," Paul said. "Its an unbelievable opportunity, a lot of responsibility comes with this position but Im very fortunate to have an outstanding of committee guys. The past couple of days have been outstanding, the dialogue weve had as an executive committee also with the players that have come in town, it was amazing." The decision to appoint a new executive director to replace Hunter will come at a later date. "We definitely discussed (hiring an executive director), but theres no rush," Paul said. "For us, its all about getting our house in order and making sure that everything moves right in that direction." In meetings at the Venetian Hotel, Roger Mason Jr. was elected first vice-president. He replaced Jerry Stackhouse, who resigned from the office and is expected to take a position within the union. There are several issues that the league has been waiting to discuss with the union while they searched for new leadership, most notably the possible implementation of testing for HGH. Commissioner David Stern, who is retiring in February and handing the reins over to deputy commissioner Adam Silver, has said multiple times this summer that testing for HGH was a priority. "Chris is an All-Star player and person and we look forward to working with him," Silver said in a statement. Tolliver, who has long been one of the most devoted player representatives in the league, and Steve Blake were elected vice-presidents, filling the executive committee positions vacated by Paul and Mason. "This is not a position thats about me or one person," Paul said. "Its about the collective group and the players and I think from my experience ... its about growing the game and expanding our brand and continue to get our players involved as we can and make sure our voice is heard. The guys here just understand its our union, theres no one person that is bigger than the group." Paul said the union needed a "rebuild," and he was looking forward to rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. Tolliver agreed, saying it was time for a "fresh start" after a messy time in the unions history. "We want to make sure that nothing remotely close that has gone on in the union in the past 12 months or so will ever happen again," Tolliver said. "Its a huge job. Its a huge responsibility. Im glad to be a part of that." Pauls ascension could pave the way for more involvement from the biggest names in the game. LeBron James considered running for the job before deciding against it, and Paul is an All-NBA first team player who has been tight with James for years. "Since Ive been in the NBA the superstars have come to a few meetings here and there, every once in a while, but not very often," Tolliver said. "The fact that (James) even considered doing that lets me know that hes going to be more involved in the future. ... Especially him being the face of our game, we want to have him involved as much as possible. Not only him, we want all the guys that carry our brand to be a part of this."Shoes Ireland Free Shipping . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Cheap Shoes Ireland Online . 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Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games.A weakened Ospreys went to the top of the Guinness PRO12 table with a comfortable bonus point win over Dragons in the Welsh derby at the Liberty Stadium.The home side, who have now beaten Dragons 10 times in a row, registered five tries in the 35-17 success with wing Keelan Giles crossing twice to take his tally to eight tries in four games.There were other tries from scrum-half Tom Habberfield, hooker Sam Baldwin, and replacement scrum-half Brendan Leonard with man of the match Josh Matavesi converting all five.The Dragons scored two late tries through Matthew Screech and Pat Howard, both converted by Rhys Jones, with Nick Macleod kicking a first half penalty. Flanker Dan Lydiate, a former Dragon, and hooker Scott Baldwin started for Ospreys after being released by Wales.However Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Sam Davies and seven forwards were absent because of Wales commitments. Without fly-halves Biggar and Davies, centre Matavesi stepped up to wear the number 10 jersey.The Dragons were without three Wales squad players but former Wales international Tavis Knoyle made his first start for the visitors after being released by Cardiff Blues. Ospreys went into half-time14-3 up - but they did not have things all theeir own way in the opening quarter.ddddddddddddFirst Macleod kicked a fourth minute penalty following a high tackle, before prop Dmitri Arhip found himself in the sin bin after short-arming Ed Jackson. That put the home side on the back foot but Dragons failed to make the most of the one-man advantage.And, back to 15 men Ospreys, scored their opening try on 22 minutes when Habberfield squeezed over after darting down the blindside of a five-metre scrum.Ospreys continued to pile on the pressure but the second try did not come until the 40th minute when Baldwin crashed over after coming off the back of a drive from a lineout. The chance of the second try had come after a good work from Matavesi, who had sent Giles on a 30-metre run. Giles lit up the start of the second half when he was put over by a fine offload from Matavesi.The wing was at it again 12 minutes later when he kicked a loose ball upfield and sprinted away to slide in by the posts for the bonus point. Replacement Leonard ran in for the fifth try before Dragons struck back, with tries for Screech and Howard crossing. ' ' '