GEWizards coach Scott Brooks had a front seat view of Serge Ibakas transition from Spain to the NBA when

Former A-League title winner Jacob Timpano is set to be reunited with Sydney FC, while controversial former Croatia defender Josip Simunic could be on his way back to Australia as part of this years FFA Cup.A handful of former National Soccer League clubs appears to be the big winners out of the round-of-32 draw, conducted on Thursday, for the knockout tournament.Melbourne Victory will open their FFA Cup defence on the road against Newcastle, while Brisbane will resume their cracking A-League rivalry with Perth at home.But as ever with the FFA Cup, the real intrigue lies below the professional level.Its not quite a derby, but arguably the most-exciting match pits former NSL champions Wollongong Wolves up against Sydney FC.The Wolves, in NSWs National Premier Leagues competition, are coached by Timpano, who won the inaugural A-League title with the Sky Blues and played under Graham Arnold during his Olyroos coaching days.For the people down in the Illawarra, its probably a dream draw, Timpano said.Theres a lot of Sydney FC supporters down there. Im sure well pack out WIN Stadium.Its definitely special to be coaching against them now - itll be a very tough match-up for us.Two-time NSL winners Melbourne Knights are at home to WA side Cockburn City and, following Heidelberg Uniteds recruitment of Greek international star Kostas Katsouranis last year, they could have a marquee recruit of their own.Coach Andrew Marth confirmed the club was in talks with Simunic - a former Knights junior who opted to represent Croatia instead of the Socceroos and was the infamous recipient of referee Graham Polls third yellow card at the 2006 World Cup - to play a one-off match for them.Newly crowned A-League champions Adelaide United, meanwhile, have been sent to Brisbanes southern suburbs to take on one of Queenslands oldest clubs, Redlands United.The biggest chance of an upset in the draw lies with Victorian outfit Green Gully, who will fancy their chances of knocking off A-League battlers Central Coast.Green Gully spent three seasons in the NSL in the mid-1980s but have been a powerhouse at state-league level since.Its been a long time since the club was on the national stage, coach Arthur Papas said.To draw an A-League team, at home, we embrace the challenge.Details for all matches, to be staged in late July and early August, will be confirmed next week.FFA CUP DRAW: ROUND-OF-32 FIXTURES:* Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory* Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory* Wellington Phoenix v Western Sydney Wanderers* Melbourne Knights (Vic) v Cockburn City (WA)* Far North Queensland Heat (Qld) v Edgeworth Eagles (NNSW)* Shamrock Rovers Darwin (NT) v Brisbane Strikers (Qld)* MetroStars (SA) v Bentleigh Greens (Vic)* Canberra Olympic (ACT) v Surfers Paradise Apollo (Qld)* Devonport Strikers (Tas) v Lambton Jaffas (NSW)* Bonnyrigg White Eagles (NSW) v Manly United (NSW)* Hume City (Vic) v Marconi Stallions (NSW)* Blacktown City (NSW) v Sydney United 58 (NSW)* Wollongong Wolves (NSW) v Sydney FC* Redlands United (Qld) v Adelaide United* Green Gully (Vic) v Central Coast Mariners* Floreat Athena (WA) v Melbourne City* First side listed to play at home (except for the Phoenix, who must play all FFA Cup games in Australia); all fixtures subject to FFA scheduling. Colorado Avalanche Shirts . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Custom Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Fake Avalanche Jerseys . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. ORLANDO, Fla. -- A starter throughout much of his career, Jeff Green is adjusting to the role coming off the bench in his first season with the Orlando Magic.But there have been nights so far this season when it has all seemed so natural for the versatile veteran. Green certainly appeared in his element Saturday night as he knocked down several big shots as part of a second-unit that helped the Magic overcome a 12-point third-quarter deficit to come away with an 88-86 win over the Washington Wizards at home.Green led his team with 18 points off the bench as the Magic improved to .500 with its third straight win after starting the season 0-3.My job is to just go play basketball, said Green, who scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter. It doesnt matter if I come off the bench, start, play five minutes, play 30 minutes. My job is the same. I just have to be aggressive with the minutes I play.Im just finding my rhythm and thats what its all about.Green, who is playing behind Aaron Gordon at the small forward spot, led the second unit which provided energy in both the first and second halves to pull the Magic out of double-digit deficits. The bench, which also includes Bismack Biyombo, D.J. Augustin and Mario Hezonja was so impressive that Frank Vogel left them in the game down the critical stretch as the Wizards threatened.Biyombo was huge in the paint on the defensive end, coming up with 12 rebounds and three big block shots to energize the team. Hezonja, a second-year swingman, finally broke out of his slump, by scoring eight of his nine points in the fourth quarter on clutch baskets.Thats what we need from the second unit, come in with a lot energy, scoring mentality and just be more aggressive, said Evan Fournier, who finished with 13 points.Vogel admitted that second-unit gave the team a much-needed lift.We road some of those guys out the rest of the game because of their first-quarter energy and obviously they got going late into the third and into thhe fourth, said Vogel, whose team has won back-to-back games at home.dddddddddddd So credit those guys for turning the game around.The Wizards (1-4), who were playing without point guard John Wall, struggled to come up with shots down the stretch even though Markieff Morris came close to knocking down a game-winning 3-point shot at the buzzer. Morris led the team with 18 points while Bradley Beal added 15.A few missed defensive assignments, said Wizards coach Scott Brooks. They hit some 3s. They got some breaks.TIP-INS:Wizards: As expected, Wall did not play in Saturday nights game against Magic. He is not playing in back-to-back night games while still recovering from offseason surgery on both knees. Rookie Tomas Satoransky started in his place and veteran Trey Burke served as the backup.Magic: Orlando had lost 12 straight games to the Washington Wizards entering Saturday nights game. ... The Magic entered Saturday night averaging 13.2 offensive rebounds per game, which ranks second in the NBA. ... The Magic debuted their new dark grey uniforms.WATCHING IBAKA SURGEWizards coach Scott Brooks had a front seat view of Serge Ibakas transition from Spain to the NBA when the Seattle Supersonics (Oklahoma City Thunder) drafted him in 2009 and Brooks was the head coach. Ibaka was a talented player but didnt speak English initially so explaining what he wanted from Ibaka was a challenge for Brooks.My first (go-around) with him was very interesting, Brooks said. We didnt know how to communicate. Even on the basketball court the first couple of months it was very difficult but I give Serge a lot of credit. He came and took English lessons and really challenged himself to pick up the language.UP NEXTWizards: Washington returns home to face the Houston Rockets on Monday.Magic: Orlando plays at the Chicago Bulls on Monday at the United Center. ' ' '